What are some of the problems parents see with their children's education? I am going to list some of the ones parents have talked to me about, which, by the way, is why many parents want the voucher program. Whether or not you agree with all of these issues is not my point. My point is to explain why, in the minds of many parents we need to have choice in education. Personally I see a need for vouchers, not because the schools are not doing a good job in many areas, but because there are legitimate concerns.

- I am aware of parental dissatisfaction over the school productions offered in some high schools. When Bountiful High School students participated in a school production and parents were advised that it was not appropriate to bring young children, I think there was a problem. At Layton High this year they produced a production called Urinetown? Do we really need to let bathroom talk into a school production?

- Some parents are concerned because a gay couple was included at the Bountiful High Prom this year.

- There are Gay and Lesbian clubs in some Utah schools.

- Parents have called me and made me aware of books with sexual material that are suggested reading in local high schools. A librarian told me she subtly tries to shield students in her junior high from inappropriate reading that would otherwise be available.

- Davis County District does not have the Abstinence Only sex education program that Provo has.

- Some parents are disturbed over "educational" videos that are shown that they don't feel are appropriate.

- Some parents don't approve of the LaCaille Restaurant excursion encouraged by school classes.

- Hopefully you are all aware that good administrators cannot easily remove teachers they feel are inappropriate for various reasons. Private schools can do that.

- I understand that an organization called the National Conference for Community and Justice (NCCJ) provides programs for schools in our District. A search of the Web reveals that the NCCJ is listed as a partner with Freedom to Marry, which is "the gay and non-gay partnership working to end discrimination in marriage nationwide." In the midst of NCCJ's positive teaching, they state on the Web that they include information on sexual orientation. This begins the creep into our school system of a tolerance for gay and lesbian marriage, which I believe is their carefully planned goal.

- Language in the halls in junior high schools and high schools is a concern for many parents.

- Language in some text messages during school is inappropriate and not controlled.

- Text messages during class is a concern. Somewhere I read that 55 percent of students do this during class.

- Dress standards and enforcement is strong in some schools and weak in others.

- Swearing by teachers is a concern for some.

- An online summer English class this summer contained a suggested book to read that had sexual content. Parents have to stay alert to protect their children.

- Some parents desire uniforms, which have been proven to enhance learning and decrease behavior problems. This improves education without raising taxes. Learning success should be a higher priority than individual expression.

A former school board member in the Alpine District told me that their school board worked to get a Psychology book out of their district. The book taught students how to sexually stimulate themselves. A parent at a local high school carefully checked books and asked for substitutes for those she considered inappropriate.

I would encourage the school district to be more selective about books and encourage parents to be extremely watchful and then vocalize their concerns to the superintendent, Bryan Bowles. He expressed an interest in parental feedback. Call him at 402-5258 or e-mail him at bbowles@dsdmail.net.