For too many college athletes, education takes a backseat to Big Money | Opinion
What priority?
High school and college sports need to change. Players’ name, image and likeness deals and the NCAA transfer portal are replacing the desire for a college degree.
Do not let money be the No. 1 goal for these young people. A college education is invaluable.
- Ron Simpson, Willow Park
An opportunity
The Fort Worth ISD board is appealing the Texas Education Agency’s takeover of the district. (Nov. 21, 5A, “Deadline extended for applications to Fort Worth ISD’s board of managers”) Is this in the best interests of students? History offers little assurance.
Since 2000, the Fort Worth district has had eight superintendents. Enrollment peaked at about 87,000 students in 2016-2017 and has declined to the current 69,000. Over the past two decades, administrative transitions and falling enrollment have coincided with declines in student achievement, which board members have noted without a marked sense of urgency or accountability.
Shouldn’t we view our situation as an opportunity for transformative change? This moment allows us to shift district decision-making from focusing on adults to prioritizing students. As Rahm Emanuel said, “You never want a serious crisis to go to waste. … It’s an opportunity to do things that you think you could not do before.”
- William Koehler, Fort Worth
No Advantage
Insurance companies came up with the very profitable — for them — Medicare Advantage program. It costs Americans at least $9 billion more than those enrolled in traditional Medicare, thanks to insurers’ fraud and abuse.
Health care providers like me put Medicare Advantage patients in our “no pay, low pay” category and refuse patients, whereas we accept all traditional Medicare. The Mayo Clinic is now refusing Medicare Advantage. There are other issues , such as sales agents and brokers not necessary in traditional Medicare.
Open enrollment ends Dec. 7 (hence all the TV promos). I urge all to switch to traditional Medicare and to discontinue Medicare Advantage.
- Dr. Howard Morris, Granbury
‘Need to die’
Republican Texas Senate candidate Leigh Wambsganss brags that she is endorsed by President Donald Trump. That’s enough reason for me not to vote for her. She once wrote that Black Lives Matter protesters ”need to die.” That should be enough for anyone in their right mind not to vote for her.
Vote for Democrat Taylor Rehmet.
- Dan Cleary, Keller
But Biden
I see a lot of comments about Immigration and Customs Enforcement. I do not see information reminding American voters that the Biden administration allowed millions of people into the country illegally. Are we supposed to just pay the billions they are costing us? What a disaster.
- Mike Holt, Fort Worth
Patience, please
I’m a school crossing guard at South Hi Mount Elementary, and I have been seeing a lot of speeders in school zones. We’ve even had a car hit a guard .
Please, stop and wait near the curb before the guard signals you to continue into the intersection. And pedestrians must wait until a guard is in the street before they cross.
- Kay Watkins, Fort Worth