This is especially poor judgment and poor timing by the school board in light of the expected $17 million shortfall they keep telling us about.

There are ways to find alternate funding, like additional fundraisers, a small increase in the participation fees, go together as the school district to fund the program and even consider corporate sponsors that would provide scholarships to the students to go.

It is my understanding from what was said is that the board may be considering letting this year's fourth graders go next year because they already have the funds.

I think that it is an excellent opportunity for all the students, and especially for the lower income students and middle income family kids to get to go somewhere. It is also a perfect opportunity for students that are not the academic stars to shine in front of their peers.

They made this decision without the parents' input or having a public hearing.

unusually brazen. ... It shows really poor judgment to put yourself in a position where you are seen as wielding that power for a friend.