Two good columns about school funding in the Sunday, March 10 newspaper. Paul Choiniere discussed funding, property taxes, and the failure of Sheff vs O'Neill. Chris Powell (Journal Inquirer) discusses the same issues but quotes "no evidence correlates student performance with school spending." He also says that educational results "are almost entirely a matter of parenting."

So what's wrong with the parenting? This might be a good topic for an editorial, but I would suggest that the parent(s) of the student in this socio-economic group never received a good education themselves. I'm sure they want success for their children, but what do they have for role models?

The media makes a big deal about the salaries being paid to professional athletes and parents come to think this is the road to success. The parent(s) will campaign locally to have lights on the courts and summer practice, but the child comes to school the next day with inadequate sleep and homework undone. So much for getting an education.

I feel much blame goes to the media. They should stop idolizing the sports figures and pay more attention to people making a success through talents learned by education in the arts or technical fields, and not necessarily at the college level.

Al Schober

Montville