To the editor:

Bottom line: Schools are in existence to educate minds of young people. When there are not enough funds available to provide educational programs that include all areas we have become accustomed to including in “education,” it is imperative to provide purely academic instruction at a minimum.

With the cuts that are currently necessary, no academic classes or instructors should be cut before all sports-related classes and instructor costs have been cut first.

If sports are so important to some parents, then they should volunteer to help coordinate and contribute to such activities themselves. Everyone I know has had to make difficult choices on how to spend reduced funds in this economic environment.

Schools and towns are no different than individuals and families. A school’s priority should be academics, not sports. Bottom line. Period. No ifs, ands or buts.

Kerry Corthell

Scarborough