This week we reveled in the opening of a renewed and expanded Madison Middle School. Roughly $38 Million was invested to provide a comfortable learning environment for children of our community, mine included. This was an excellent taxpayer investment for a student body of 900 and one of only two Westside middle schools.

Efficient allocation of limited tax resources should remain an imperative for the Seattle School District Administration and Board.

In review, let us not forget that the mothballed proposal to close eight underutilized schools would have shaved roughly $3 Million from 2007's Operating Budget deficit of $20 Million. Combined with transportation rationalization (i.e. education consumers accepting responsibility for their choices) an additional $8 million in savings would help the district bring the operating budget closer to trim.

But wait! Closure of those eight underutilized schools also would have freed up over $60 million from the district's capital budget. $60 million that could be allocated to deliver Madison-quality environments to campuses that serve a greater good for student learning and a better value for the generous taxpayer.

Let's rest on our laurels for a while, yet let's commit to creative solutions that just may require breaking away from a balkanizing entitlement mentality that is currently retarding school board action.

Craig Keller

Genesee