Letters to the editor for Sunday, Aug. 24

In our experience, we've observed that recovering from a flood is exhausting work for families, and seems to take a lot longer than we think it will.

What eases the burden are people of goodwill who arrive in force with tool belts and trucks filled with hammers, drills, sheet rock and muscle that give hope to others who are often traumatized and have no idea where to begin.

Last Sunday columnist Lori Sturdevant highlighted the value of public-private partnership and how quickly we can mobilize financial and volunteer labor when we work together. Rebuilding in southeastern Minnesota is such a stellar example. But there is still much work to do. If you can pound a hammer or use a drill, we could use you! The volunteer hot line is (612) 922-0776.

MARK A. PETERSON, PRESIDENT AND CEO, LUTHERAN SOCIAL SERVICE OF MINNESOTA

Bill Blazar and Lynnell Mickelsen are obviously well-intentioned and intelligent people ("Can schools improve on $60 million each year?" Aug. 17). I believe that the deterioration of education in not just Minneapolis but the entire nation is one of the top five issues we face. That said, I would not vote for an increase in education funding until I see a plan to fix the highest-priority problem education faces today: a total lack of discipline on the part of a significant number of the students.

How do I come to this conclusion? A couple of years ago, the Rochester Post-Bulletin asked local high school students in Rochester, "What is the one thing that you would do to improve the students' ability to learn in the classroom?" The answer was unanimous: "Get the disruptive students out of the classrooms so those of us who wish to learn can learn."

Since our politically correct and litigious society has gotten in the way of discipline both in the homes and the schools, I suggest that all school systems just implement a strict discipline system, remind the citizens that the legal expenses and settlements come from their hard-earned tax money and take money away from education, and see what happens. The kick-butt-and-take-names discipline of yesteryear was far more effective than worrying about hurting the students' psyche and self-esteem. The big difference from then to now was that getting in trouble at school meant also getting in trouble at home. The second part of that equation is next to nonexistent today, but must be somehow overcome.

Easy, but wrong Could we consider, just for a moment, the sought-after goal for Minneapolis public schools is innovation and improvement for students of the 21st century? Extrapolating from my experience, cutting, no, slashing budgets has forced me to focus on the essential and come up with creative ways to achieve desired results.

Could we admit that throwing money at the problem of our schools at this time is the easy approach? It takes guts and painful courage to admit it is neither the best, nor the right approach. There's too much that needs to get fixed, first.

JANE RODMYRE PAYFER, MINNEAPOLIS

Yes, for worthy goals While the No Child Left Behind law no doubt has flaws, I find nothing ridiculous in the notion that mastery of basic math, reading and science by the majority of American children is essential to the long-term health and sustainability of our country and the world.

Inherent in NCLB is a basic respect for the dignity and potential of every child, regardless of race, household income, immigrant status or family situation. I have heard more than one teacher say that, despite its shortcomings, NCLB has forced them to care about students they would normally have dismissed as hopeless.

TRACY BROKERING, MINNEAPOLIS

I am grateful for Garrison Keillor's clarification (Aug. 17): Liberals hold that the test of a civilized society is how it deals with the weak. He is against torture. Shall we expect him to line up behind those who support legislation that forbids ripping limb from limb our tiniest citizens?

SAM CRABTREE, MINNEAPOLIS

Hearty congratulations to Books Editor Laurie Hertzel and the Star Tribune for embarking on a revitalized approach to the Books section. It's a thrill to learn that we can continue to expect a deepening engagement with our community of readers and writers.

At a time when some metropolitan dailies are cutting back or eliminating book coverage, you are showing vision and resolve appropriate to America's most literary city. Those of us who find in the simple medium of paper and ink silent pleasures, powerful ideas and nourishment for mind and heart applaud you.