Gifted Children’s Classes Supported

I read with dismay that, because of budget concerns, gifted children in Ventura will no longer be bused weekly to gather with their academic peers to be taught by specialized teachers.

This is not only deplorable but terribly shortsighted. The school district spends money on English as a second language, mainstreaming handicapped children into the classroom, stopping teen-age pregnancy and earthquake-proofing our schools--all issues that need attention. But it cuts money to support programs for gifted kids in elementary school. Surely, this decision does not make sense.

As our society becomes more complex and the technological challenges become bigger, surely we need more rather than fewer well-educated, highly trained adults.

STEPHANIE QUINN WESTPHAL

Ojai