Buying a lottery ticket can be fun. However, a lottery is no way to determine who attends a public school.

Falmouth is an exceptionally well-run town. Our school system is one of the best. Our district is starting a pre-kindergarten program for 2023. Unfortunately, the plan is such that some Falmouth 4-year-olds will not be able to attend because they are unlucky.

There are 48 slots in the Falmouth pre-K plan. It appears that there are many more students than slots. The available positions will be filled by special needs students first, then a lottery system to fill the remaining seats. There might be more than 100 4-year-olds in Falmouth next year. The current plan means chance will determine who is educated.

Imagine the Falmouth police chief holding a lottery each year to determine which homes will be protected by the FPD.

Public education is for all, not just for the lucky.

I urge Falmouth residents to encourage the school board and administration to offer a genuinely inclusive pre-K program for all Falmouth 4-year-olds.

Scott Simmonds
Falmouth