Letter to Ms. Linda Johnson, President of BESE

Rev. Ronald DeWitt

Liberty Deaf Assembly of God

1438 Harwich

Baton Rouge, LA  70810

rondewitt@cox.net

Ms. Linda Johnson

8th BESE District/President

sbese@la.gov

225) 687-2308 (FAX)

Dear Ms. Johnson

      As the President of the BESE board, you must surely face endless appeals from the schools and students of our state.  Please take a moment to read one more from us.  We are a small missions church that ministers to the students at the Louisiana School for the Deaf.  On Thursday, you will be presented with proposed cuts to the LSD budget.   We have read the list online.  It seems to slash the school worse than a terrorist attack!  I am terribly concerned for the students.   These cuts are impossibly cruel.  How can the students be safe and well educated with 23 dorm staff cut and at least 13 instructors?  They depend on the counselors, but the plan is to out-source the counseling.

     As you may know, the plan to bring LSVI to the campus was approved.  It is a wonderful solution.  Mr. Kevin Lemoine told everyone that such a move would save the state about $4.5 million per year.  Why the deep cuts?

   The merger of the two schools could use at least a year to solidify.  They will need their computer tech personnel, their counselors, dorm staff, instructors, etc.  Please, ask BESE to veto these cuts! It is cruel to do this to LSD so soon after so much heartache there!

     As you must realize, the students and their parents have been through a very tough year.  The students have stayed strong (even though confined to campus and adjusting to some rather bizarre rules)!  I am afraid that this will break their young spirits.

     Please, please help these precious LSD students! They deserve the chance.  You are in a position to serve as well as oversee.  We pray that you will have the divine direction for your most difficult assignments.  We are counting on you!

Sincerely,

Ron DeWitt

Pastor