Reader's view: Sell schools to improve high school curriculum

The Nov. 22 editorial (Our View: “Denfeld-East equity remains elusive goal”) told us nothing we didn’t already know about this nebulous enigma, not even a portent of a possible panacea. Frankly, some would say the editorial was punctuated with ethnic innuendo like “whiter.” Whiter than what? Let’s categorize it as a microcosm of the quintessential east-west schism that’s been around since time immemorial - irrespective of race, color or creed.
It wasn’t surprising, therefore, that one of Superintendent Bill Gronseth’s remarks was cast as a “should” and not a blueprint for “how to” at the editorial’s conclusion.
My twin daughters, both seniors at Denfeld, know firsthand the Advanced Placement and College in the Schools course crunch alluded to in the editorial. Both had to sacrifice rewarding vocal and instrumental music sequences begun as freshmen and sophomores in deference to more-advanced, college-oriented curricula. Needless to say, it bears only an illogical relevance to their attending the so-dearly-loved high school in the “poorer” and “more-diverse” (the editorial’s words, not mine) side of town.
To paraphrase “Field Of Dreams:” If you offer it (meaning electives and diversity), they will come - from the east and west; it won’t matter.
Which brings us back to the seventh period, or its absence: How do we fund those many “new and improved” (or simply dropped along the way) academic choices? Just nudge the School Board in the right direction.
First, never leave a $14 million building sale on the table (“Board again rejects negotiating with charter over Central site,” May 3), especially when it’s a generous offer and would divest the district of three white elephants.
Second, don’t diss Many Rivers, who’s willing to pay precious pecuniary to help fund public-schools’ academics by claiming ownership of one of the district’s derelicted elephants (“Many Rivers wants to buy former school,” Sept. 21). Many Rivers made a valid argument it wasn’t in competition, attendance-wise, with the district. So what’s to fear? Pachyderm paranoia?
Simply: Sell elephants, own equity.
Jim H. Unden
Duluth