Like so many other districts, Bellevue is making agonizing cuts to its school budget because the Legislature is shirking its constitutional duty to adequately fund basic education. Our state Constitution is very clear, “It is the paramount duty of the state to make ample provision for the education of all children residing within its borders.” No fine print, no asterisks, no caveats.

A King County judge ruled in February that Washington is not meeting this obligation. The state should not waste money appealing this decision.

Swimming, golf, gymnastics, and wrestling are on the list of potential cuts in Bellevue. High school athletics is not a game. It is an avenue for scholar-athletes to learn life lessons: Teamwork, goal-setting, perseverance.

Athletics give many students a reason to stay in school. Studies show that athletes have higher average GPAs than those who don’t participate in extra-curricular activities. High school students need athletics to be considered for college and university admissions.

Also at risk in BSD are elementary PE, music, art and library – all of which are essential to education. PE is a federally-mandated education program—how will this be delivered if all PE teachers are eliminated? They seem to be unconcerned that elementary school children will be at a disadvantage in the information age if they cut elementary librarians. Cutting music in elementary school will have a trickle-up effect, decimating music programs at all levels.

Music and the arts are not luxuries; there is far too much evidence that these types of learning experience create better learners and more well-rounded individuals.

Personal agendas must be abandoned, and cuts that do not directly affect students in the classroom and on the athletic field should be the first to be made.

Marie Cummings, Bellevue