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37 <br /> Severe overcrowding is detrimental to the feeling of"ownership" and <br /> community among teachers, children and parents, thus adversely affecting the <br /> working/learning environment. Additionally, overcrowding poses difficulties <br /> in effective management of the daily school program for which administration <br /> and staff is responsible. <br /> Those most affected are the least able to advocate for themselves: the <br /> children. For example, in each of our child's last three grades there have been <br /> textbook shortages, due, in part, to sheer numbers of children. She has <br /> regular school library visits only every other week due to numbers of children <br /> needing to be served, especially the younger ones needing basic library skills <br /> instruction. We have excellent teachers who are trying to do their best but <br /> their efforts are compromised by the overcrowded conditions out of their <br /> control and out of control. Flagship school system? I don't think so. <br /> Regardless of how and why elected officials (council, aldermen, county <br /> commissioners, school board,) and advisory boards (planning, zoning, public <br /> works,) kept out of each other's affairs in the past, the children need you to <br /> work together effectively from this point forward to address the situation <br /> of land use planning, population growth and school overcrowding. <br /> Parents, students, teachers, and the business community will also need to <br /> participate. This community has come together to tackle many issues during <br /> the twenty five years I've lived here. We can do it! <br /> School children deserve more than cursory bottom-line treatment. <br /> Their quality of education should be a top priority. They are the future. <br /> �'`�� <br /> 01" <br />