IB: Killing an opportunity

I am writing in protest of the school board’s decision to end the International Baccalaureate program at Lake City High School. As a sophomore currently enrolled there, this affects me personally. When I transferred from Charter last year I was eager to cultivate my education and take new challenging classes such as Debate, Orchestra, Spanish, and IB courses.

With block schedule I now had those opportunities. The end of the IB program reduces my choices in education and increases the chances to lose block schedule, since IB was the main obstacle for opponents of it.

In district budget cuts I notice the first things to go are the advanced programs, yet, programs for the mediocre, falling behind, KTEC students, and athletes continue to thrive. In 2009 the budget for athletics alone was $1.47 million. That is more than we have spent on IB overall.

How will I have the opportunity to promote my creativity and think outside the box like so many upper level jobs require? Doctors, lawyers and economists all need to memorize basic facts for success but that only gets you so far; the creative spark is what puts you above the “Average Joe.”

How will I ignite my spark without the creative challenge of IB? Will I get the same scholarship opportunities? From graduates of 2012 I saw single IB students receive more academic scholarship funds than have been put into the entire program. Is the next generation’s education not worth a little extra money?

WILLOW SMITH

Coeur d’Alene