(Regarding the Maven's December article on overcrowded schools:) I agree wholeheartedly that we need to address this problem ASAP. The overloading the School District is doing to Eckstein Middle School has a huge negative impact on students and staff. The pressure to keep packing more kids in without the necessary staff increases is creating a nightmare bulge in our music, foreign language and P.E. departments, lunchroom, etc.

 I'm not sure why you feel so much animosity toward the School Board. They don't open schools, the School District does. It seems to me the pressure should be on the district administration. They're the ones creating the problem and truly, they are the only ones that can solve it.

 You also should be careful not to lump all alternative schools together.

 They really are each very different alternatives. I know Decatur Alternative School already has a waiting list. Moving Summit Alternative School, which is NOT a neighborhood school, to a more central location would be better than yet again trying to cram more kids into any school that is not under enrolled. Remember: SMALLER IS BETTER!

 - PAM ESHELMAN (PTSA co-president, Eckstein), Windermere