To the Editor:

My name is Violet Writer, mom of a special-education student at Berne-Knox-Westerlo. I have discussed the special-education program with my Hilltown friends, concerning their special-needs children.

We have several critical special-education questions that need to be answered by the BKW Board of Education:

— The special-education program: What works — what does not work?

— Why is the school student population dropping?

— What is the basic cause for the increase in home-schooling and parents sending their children to private schools?

What roles are the board of education and the BKW administrative staff playing in assisting the young school-age residents to obtain meaningful employment opportunities?

In order for special-needs students to have this opportunity, the school board needs to establish goals and provide appropriate classroom settings. There should be monthly meetings with teachers, parents, and students.

Another major concern is spending money that we don’t have to, to finance additional school construction for a declining (10-year) student enrollment. Why?

Based on my research, I am strongly supporting the following two residents for the school board:

— Robin Becker

— Mackenzie Hempstead

Violet Writer

East Berne