To the editor:

I would like to thank Mike Anthony for his editorial in the May 18 edition of the Call.

Mr. Anthony detailed the history of how the Mehlville Board of Education “… voted unanimously on Nov. 23, 2012, to offer tuition-free, full-day kindergarten beginning with the 2013-2014 school year.”

I live in the Lindbergh School District and would very much like to see the newly elected school board follow this example and offer tuition-free, full-day kindergarten as soon as possible. It is surprising and unacceptable that this highly rated school district is decades behind all other Missouri districts in this policy.

As a 27-year resident of the Lindbergh School District whose three daughters graduated from Lindbergh High School and who has previously supported all bond issues and tax increases, I will not vote to approve either another bond issue or tax increase until this district offers tuition-free, full-day kindergarten.

Do young couples moving into the district know that the district does not offer this? I doubt they do until their children approach kindergarten age.

Despite Superintendent Jim Simpson’s opinion, as stated in the same issue of the Call, that residents like to see “… shiny new buildings,” I would prefer to see an emphasis on the education of all students in K-12 instead of new sprawling buildings with paved, impervious surfaces that increase water runoff and have Dr. Simpson’s name on them.

I urge the newly elected school board to consider this issue immediately.

Sandy Freeman

Crestwood