I HAVE just read your report on how the schools in the area are struggling to balance their books, many losing valuable staff to do so.

As a parent of a child that is going on to one of those schools in September, it is worrying to say the least.

What will happen in future years when the highly publicised funding increases have a hidden sting in the tail that all but wipes that extra funding out? Who knows.

On turning the page and reading how the new Record Office costs have spiralled by £3.2m, my worry turned to utter amazement and anger.

I'll admit I have not fully followed all the arguments concerning the Record Office, but I know that there has been a general feeling of "why move it?".

I could not help asking myself "How many teachers could that money have kept where they belong?".

We need them in the classrooms ensuring that our children receive the best possible education, not the best that dedicated but overburdened schools can achieve under extremely difficult constraints.

I just feel that someone somewhere has their priorities a little askew. Does anyone else feel this way?

S FULLARTON

Hilperton.