Don't cut sports, extend school day

Regarding "Readers rise to cut school costs" [Opinion, March 10], your column suggested making athletics and other activities pay-to-play. Athletics are an educational function, preparing students for the world by learning teamwork, for example. Furthermore, after-school programs keep students in constructive activity and out of mischief, a community benefit. The activities allow parents additional flexibility to work, which is especially needed in young families or single-parent households. If you charge fees, you will lose the very students who need these activities most (even with scholarships).

In our district, teachers work a 6½-hour day (7 hours and 15 minutes, less a 45-minute duty-free lunch), which is typical. If we had an additional hour, without paying more in salary, we could cover after-school programs. The time is most needed in elementary schools. It could be used for instruction, as well as clubs and sports.

We need state law to increase the school day; local boards can't do it. Our preliminary budget allocates $135,000 to $140,000 for teacher base pay plus benefits (before payments for after-school programs and other extras). Aren't our students entitled to a full day, a more normal year, and less teacher absenteeism for this compensation?

Joseph Mirzoeff

Port Washington

Editor's note: The writer was a member of the Port Washington Board of Education from 1995 to 1998.