Thanks for your fair article and editorial on the WSHS freshman class honors program (May 10). You did a good job representing both sides and showed great leadership in the editorial.

Tuesday afternoon, just after your paper hit the streets, I was contacted by the superintendent's office announcing a reversal of the honors house direction for 2006-2007 freshman only. The 2007-2008 freshman class will not be offered honors and, though previously committed to, it's unclear if the sophomore class that year will have honors. Ms. Ders/ has a letter on the school website: http://www.seattleschools.org/schools/wshs/admin/principalnews.htm

After being notified, several involved parents decided anyway to keep an appointment with Dr. Brita Butler-Wall, president of the school board on May 9 (Irene Stewart was at the four period day meeting). We had a great two-hour discussion with her regarding many education issues. I can testify she is quite a devoted public servant. One thing she did discuss was how the grant system has gotten out of hand at times and the board is trying to rein it back in. In the enthusiasm to bring in money to the district, grants are sometimes accepted from groups who don't live here, don't have kids here and have specific agendas that may contradict those of the school and community. The process of reconciling grant goals with those expressed in school mission statements is at times lacking. The SLC grant has this written all over it.

Thanks again for your thorough and timely reporting.

Kevin Lorensen

Gatewoood