A president once told the American nation on the edge of war that the only thing we had to fear is fear itself.

We can apply that to those parents and offspring who are facing the possibility that their school will be closed and the students will be dispersed helter-skelter around West Seattle. There are fears that cherished programs will be lost, that children will be separated from their friends or siblings, that valued teachers will be gone.

In short, they fear change.

But these are only preliminary proposals, not final plans. The last time the Seattle School District tried to close some schools to save money, the plans appeared to be on the edge of being shoved down collective throats.

This time a reasoned committee developed criteria and that committee has made its suggestions known. There will be plenty of opportunity for parents, students, teachers, administrators - even experts - to comment, suggest and propose reasonable alternatives.

As reporter Rebekah Schilperoort noted in her story on Page One, Washington Assessment of Student Learning scores and Value Added gains were studied to assess effective instruction.

There will be four more town hall meetings - one tonight - before the committee passes its recommendations to Superintendent Raj Manhas on May 30. Manhas will then make his own recommendations followed by more public hearings before the school board votes on a final list July 26.

The changes in West Seattle can be studied. There are many valid points. Because High Point has few students now, does that mean the rebuilding of that community will not later increase enrollment and how will those students be different? Will Pathfinder change or be welcoming to new students if it moves to High Point?

Is there reason to spare Fairmount despite low test scores and declining enrollment, and what are those reasons?

Is it not possible for the school district to replicate programs lost in a better way in other schools nearby?

Will the district really save the money it says it will with the changes across the district?

Questions that need answers and time to get those answers. Lets look at this carefully and coolly, West Seattle. Search out the problems and ask the questions. Only then can a just decision be made, a decision that will be the right one for the most children.