How many times have we heard someone complaining about something happening in our communitiesbut offering no solutions for the problem? This assignment is designed todevelop your problem-solving skills and engage you in a substantive conversation concerning a current local issue. This assignment will also encourage you to begin seriously considering your audience as a writer. When you are writing a letter such as this, youll want to consider who will be reading it, particularly in terms of what words, examples, facts, or appeals might best convince this particular group.* Write a two to three page (double-spaced) letter to the editor, proposing a solution to a current local problem. List the newspaper to which you would be sending this to at the top of your paper. Begin the letter with: Dear Editor, Throughout the paper, be as specific as you possibly can in terms of:1.) Defining/describing the problem and who it affects2.) Describing your solution3.) Defending your solution as the best means of dealing with this problemIMPORTANT NOTE: Papers on the following topics willnotbe accepted:* abortion* capital punishment* euthanasiaIve already read more papers on these topics than anyone should in an entire lifetime, so I wont read anymore. I encourage you to be more creative in selecting your topic. For the Letter to the Editor, you should also be choosing a topic that is far more specific and local than any of these broad controversial issues.***Letter to the Editor Lecture NotesAs your textbook explains, Proposals are vital to a democracy. Every country, every state, and every community has its share of problems. In order to solve these problems, citizens must help do their share. Part of what we all can do is use our brains. We can think about the problem, consider possible solutions, and finally propose a solution that we think best solves the problem and ask others to consider it.In your letter to the editor, you will be proposing a solution to a current local problem. But what problem? And how can it best be solved?One of the best ways to get started in drafting this paper is to make a list of current local problems. What problems does your community face? If you dont know, how can you find out? (One way to find out is to check out a local newspaper, particularly the editorial sections. Here youll find that a great number of people are already engaged in a conversation about current local problems.)Once youve made a list of problems, youll want to chose one to actually focus on in your letter.I recommend you choose the problem that most affects you or those you care about, something that you actually have a stake in. Any writing is always better when the author cares about his or her subject.Next, youll want to define the exact nature of the problem. Is this really a problem? How so? Who does the problem affect? (If it doesnt affect anyoneor if the cost of the solution would outweight the benefits, youll want to choose a different topic.)How long has this problem existed? What are the causes of this problem? Who is responsible for this problem?What are some specific examples of the effects of this problem?Once youve determined the exact nature of the problem, youll want to start thinking about possible solutions. What solutions have been tried so far? What solutions have others proposed? What solutions have been successfully (or unsuccessfully) used to deal with similar problems? How can the causes of the problem be dealt with? How can the harms (or negative effects) of the problem be alleviated? What kinds of solutions are actually feasible (practical)?Next, youll want to choose the best solution. Youll want to choose a solution that could actually be employed, and one in which the benefits outweigh the costs. Youll also want to think about how you can deal with the typical opposing responses (such as Things are fine,Its not that big of a problem,People wont do it, We cant afford it, etc.).Finally, spend a little time thinking about your audience, the readers of your local newspaper. Youll want ask yourself questions such as: What do they already know about the problem? Do they already consider this a significant problem? Are they aware of some of the solutions that have been discussed? What kinds of biases might they have about this issue? How can I best reach these people and minimize opposition to my solution?Once youve thoroughly worked through the above issues and questions, writing the letter should be a piece of cake. As youre drafting, keep in mind the following:1.)The opening paragraph is important. How canyou getyour readers attention and respect in the very first paragraph?2.) The problem should be clearly defined (or described) before you propose your solution. The harms (or negative effects) of the problem and who specifically suffers from these negative effects should be clear.3.)The solution should be a detailed as possible. Consider all of the steps that would have to be taken. Consider all of the costs. Consider all of the benefits. Be as specific as you possibly can. Be prepared to explain why this solution is better than other alterrnative solutions.To:Dear Editor,There is a robbery in progress! The students of USD 475 are being robbed! Thesuspects include the State Budget Cuts, but all evidence points to the Board of Educationand the administrators in this district. The money that should be used to benefit thestudents is in the greedy hands of the administration instead.Clearly,UnifiedSchool District#475 is going to be affected by theKansasStateBudget cuts, along with the rest of the districts in the state. Im not sure about the otherdistricts, but USD 475 may have a simple solution: Reallocation of the budget and a newset of administrators and school board members who value childrens education ratherthan nepotism and administrative salaries.Junction Citys school district isnt known for its bright decisions regardingfunds. A few recent endeavors include the purchase of a brand-new Ford Expedition ayear or two ago, the move to a differentAdministrativeBuildingthat happens to be in amuch more lavish location, and the decision to build an enclosed walkway for studentsbetween the high school and the formerAdministrativeBuilding, which is to be used formore classrooms. These decisions, however foolish, are still not the main cause for abudget problem. The administrative costs are to blame. When compared to districts ofsimilar size, USD 475 uses dramatically more money simply for administration. Evendisregarding the percentages, although USD 475 has a smaller budget than 305 (Salina)and 383 (Manhattan), it allocates more money for administration (Salinaspends$3,843,180 of their $68,267,944 budget;Manhattan$3,043,885 of their $47,298,811budget, andJunction City$4,142,284 of their $45,743,233 budget). During the 2000-2001 school year, USD 475 used 9 of the total budget for administrative costs, whileManhattanandSalinaseemed to be able to get by with only 6 of their budget beingused for that reason. They were able to use 50-51 of the total budget for actualinstruction, while USD 475 was only able to allot 46. This is an outrageous allocation ofthe budget, but the issue doesnt end there. BothSalinaandManhattanschool districtsare comparable in size toJunction Citys, but it is very difficult to understand whyManhattancan get along with 3 central administrators,Salinahas 1.2, andJunction Cityclaims to require 7.5. Its no wonder the administrative monetary needs are so high, Iwont even touch on the issue of a single family dominating the entire district.It may appear that the 3 difference in money allotted for administration isnt allthat significant. However, when it is put into monetary terms, if the administrative costswere cut by 1/3, which puts the percentage of the budget for administration at 6 likeSalinaandManhattan, there is an additional $1.4 million dollars that could be betterallocated. That is a large sum of money that would be better spent on childrenseducation, not on the inflated salaries of a large number of administrators.As stated earlier, the school districts budget problems, on the surface, seem to bethe result of budget cuts and lack of money. The true problem, however, is themisallocation of money and the absurd number of administrators in this particulardistrict. By simply eliminating the unessential administrators (and in my opinionreplacing the chief administrators with people that have true devotion to the studentsand the community) and reallocation of the budget, the deficiency of money wont besuch a tough issue. Who knows, with the right people writing the budget, we might evenbe able to allot at least 50 of the money for instruction, like everyone else does. Somepeople may argue that it isnt the misallocation of the money that proves to be theproblem, that it is the lack of money altogether. I still believe that with the appropriatecutbacks in specific areas, particularly administrative costs, the students will be betteroff. TheSchool Districtis supposed to be teaching the children; lets put some moneytowards that for a change. All of the information that has been presented can be foundon the internet on the Kansas State Department of Education webpage. Dont take myword for it; look at the statistics and budget information for yourself. Im sure it willshock and disturb you as much as it did me.Sincerely,Sally SmithLetter to the Editor ReadingThough the content is very similar, the specific page numbers of your reading assignment may vary depending on your edition of the textbook., Chapter 7,pages296-329. Skim the Guide to Writing section for your reference as well (pages 330-349).,Chapter 7, pages320-355. Skim the Guide to Writing section for your reference as well (pages 356-381).The page numbers listed above are for the two latest editions of our textbook.If you have the 8th editionplease read pages 326-361 and skim 362-387. (7th edition= read pages 329-361 and skim 362-385.)