As a parent of two sons, one at Hussey and one at Hodgkins, where they get an excellent education, I am astonished that the Augusta superintendent of schools can suggest that the only options are firing teachers or shutting down schools.

Other options must be available. As a taxpayer, I have no problem paying extra taxes if that is what is takes, however, it seems that whenever there is a budget crunch the mantra is raise taxes or our children's education suffers.

Great choices. I find it outrageous that one of the proposals is to send seventh- and eighth-grade students to Cony High. As I understand it, there are many students now who have to eat their lunch standing up because there is no room for them in the cafeteria.

I wonder where 400 new students might have to eat lunch. Perhaps we should all just homeschool our children and then all the schools in Augusta can be shut down. It would save a lot of money. Too bad most have parents have to work.

Kathleen M. Mahoney

Augusta