Netlets for Wednesday, Oct. 24

Though the publicity about DeLaSalle's groundbreaking last week creates the impression that the school's athletic field is a "done deal," this is far from the reality, as a listing of the remaining hurdles quickly shows.

Currently three lawsuits are moving forward, including one in the Minnesota Court of Appeals where the ruling will be issued by mid-December. That court can order DeLaSalle to search among the many options that have been identified for an alternate location that would not destroy historic resources.

The reciprocal agreement, which is the basis for shared use of the land by DeLaSalle and the Minneapolis Park Board, has been rejected by the state finance commissioner. Since the public land proposed for the project was purchased with state bonds, compliance requires the Park Board to control the land, a standard the DeLaSalle/Park Board agreement did not meet. One solution might entail the Park Board leasing DeLaSalle's portion of the Nicollet Island land. Alternatively, the Park Board could sell the land and reimburse the state for the amount of bonding.

Rulings on the archeology plan for excavation of up to 5 feet of surface in the Historic District and natural vs. artificial turf are upcoming. A significant problem remains over questions of ownership and control of pertinent parking lots, and the city cannot issue permits until they are resolved.

Virtually everyone involved in both sides of the controversy want a field for the kids of Minneapolis and DeLaSalle. If an Appeals Court ruling opens consideration of appropriate locations outside the historic district, we may begin to see real progress toward making that a reality. But until the substantial problems are resolved and the courts reach their decisions, DeLaSalle's home field is far from a "done deal."

CHRISTINE VIKEN, NEWPORT

A break from tradition and Constitution

Regarding Lori Sturdevant's Oct. 14 column, it is gratifying to see our newspaper attempt to explain why so many school districts across Minnesota are yet again begging their communities to help support the children in our schools. Public education 150 years ago was thought to be so important that the authors of our state Constitution called for a uniform system of public schools and directed the Legislature to secure a "thorough and efficient system throughout the state."

Time and new legislation have eroded that support. Cuts and flat spending that does not recognize inflation has pushed districts to ask their communities to pass levies just to sustain the day to day activities in our schools. Once, these levies were for "extras." In my district our levy accounts for 12 percent of the operating costs.

Citizens who may be angry that they are asked to increase their property taxes in yet another area should direct that anger to our state politicians. Demand that they fix funding for our children. Do not penalize our children with a no vote on referendums.

SHERRY TYRRELL, CRYSTAL; DISTRICT 281 SCHOOL BOARD CANDIDATE

Taxpayers should retain control over school purse

Study after study demonstrates that education expenditures relate little to academic performance of the students. Minnesota (and other Upper Midwest states) regularly has the highest student academic performance -- and with average expenditures. The school district with the highest expenditures -- Washington, D.C. -- has the lowest academic performance.

What counts is the home environment, where two parents stress the importance of education in the child's future and place limits on the child's activities to support that philosophy. Let's keep the current system of taxpayer control.

SEYMOUR HANDLER, EDINA

Consider the starting point

In response to an Oct. 17 letter writer: The reason that the "good" news of the reduced federal deficit did not receive more attention is because the current administration inherited a budget surplus, and subsequently turned it into a massive deficit.

I don't consider it good news that we are only spending $150 billion a year more than we are taking in, especially in light of the fact that under the previous administration we had a surplus.

DONALD J. VOGE, CRYSTAL

Correcting the Old Scout

In response to Garrison Keillor's Oct. 14 column, "Do you believe in the magic of medicine?": Will someone please let Keillor know that despite his being well-versed in verse (as heard on National Public Radio's "The Writer's Almanac"), as well as capable of composing clever verse himself, he is not to be faulted for not knowing that the fine drug commonly given before unpleasant procedures is actually Versed, not Vercet. I'd be happy to be his medical fact-checker.

DEB WARREN, MINNEAPOLIS

Occupation: Nurse