The new plan to relocate funding for this amazing program, under the administration of Superintendent Daniel Snowberger, is one of the worst things Durango District 9-R could do to its students. Not only is it not fair to eliminate a comfortable environment for these students, but it is not fair for general-education teachers and students to be responsible for Life Students’ everyday needs and care. Most of these Life Students need help going to the bathroom, feeding themselves and walking, let alone learning.

How are students and staff supposed to function successfully on an everyday basis if classes are continually interrupted and focused on helping the Life Students? There was a great program that allowed these wonderful kids to enjoy everyday classes with the help of trained and experienced aides.

We believe it to be unfair for one man, who has spent no time in this program and has spent no time with its students, to be able to make such a detrimental decision that will greatly affect the lives of everyone involved. We hope that Snowberger and others involved eventually will realize the extreme mistake they are all making.

Betsy Ward and Emily McCue

Durango