Madam, – As I set off to exercise my democratic right at our local school on Friday, I reflected on the economic madness of closing it to use one of its rooms as the polling station. The cost of running this facility has not been reduced by using it this way and the teachers’ salaries are still paid, though my child will lose a day’s education. In addition, like many families, I have the cost of alternative work and childcare arrangements for an extra day off school for my child.
In the absence of some other local facility being available (and I am sure there are many locations), a Portakabin outside the school would have served the same purpose – without the economic disruption and additional costs to family life and without wasting a day of teachers’ pay.
Could those elected please consider this small step which would be very beneficial to hard-pressed families – not to mention our children’s education. – Is mise,