Go for technology

Friday, October 28, 2011

You know darn well that Ichabod Crane would do it, so why not you?

We’re talking about the second annual “Witch Way to the 5K” to raise money for Ross A. Lurgio Middle School’s technology program. The Kids Fun Run begins at 10:30 a.m., and the 5K run/walk begins at 11 a.m. The race will begin at Ross A. Lurgio Middle School, will finish on the track in front of the school and will challenge runners and walkers alike.

“It is a struggle to fundraise in middle school. The kids aren’t interested in selling things and want to have fun, and incorporating fitness into a fundraiser is a definite challenge. Our goal with the ‘Witch Way 5K’ is to provide a fun opportunity for the community and to help the middle school booster technology” said Principal Ed Joyce.

Of course, that’s wonderful, but you have to wonder why it continues to be necessary to raise funds for something as important as technology, especially in this day and age.

OK, we know we’re in an economic slump but the disrespect for our schools isn’t new. For decades taxpayers in New Hampshire have treated their school systems as something to be tolerated rather than nurtured and that, of course, is because it’s their property taxes that pay the freight.

Well, apparently there’s nothing we can do about that except to remember that being penny wise can lead to being pound foolish: If we do not properly fund the technology courses offered by our schools, we will fall further and further behind the world’s other industrialized countries.

All credit to the folks at Lurgio for realizing how important technology courses are in the modern world. And even more credit to them for doing something about it.

But shame upon the rest of us for allowing it to be necessary.