What would teens cut?

Recently the Legislature has been in session, and legislators are discussing state spending and how to cut it. Many times, they take away something from schools. We asked teenagers what programs at their schools they would choose to cut if they were forced to take something out.

"I think we should cut the whole U.S. history program, because when are we ever going to use that again?" -- Kaylie Stott, junior, Davis High School

"I wouldn't spend the money excessively to begin with, but I would refrain from paint jobs, assemblies and marquees!" -- Katie Pierce, junior, Olympus High School

"I would cut the drama program." -- Chase Eskelsen, sophomore, Davis

"I'd cut gym, because it should be an elective credit to those who wish to become athletes or stay in the athletic department. If you're going to go into something else, you really don't need gym." -- Alicia Green, junior, Cottonwood High School

"I would cut student body officers. We don't need any of 'em." -- Mike Fairbanks, senior, Highland High School

"I would cut health. It makes no sense to take a class that doesn't benefit you in college. They should just give a test so students could test-out of the class. You could get so much money out of it to use in a better way -- such as adding a new class, raising the teachers' pay or even get new teachers." -- Jacob Ross, junior, Cottonwood

"We should cut pay for teachers who don't know what they are teaching. That money should go to teachers who do know what they are teaching." -- Chad Call, sophomore, Davis

"The logical answer would be to cut the less important classes. We have a lot of classes that serve the same purpose. For instance, we have multiple P.E. classes." -- A.J. Jones, junior, Olympus

"I really don't care anymore, but they could cut the amount of money they spend on lunch food." -- Bryan John, senior, Davis

"I would cut P.E. as a required course. I would make it an extra activity." -- Travis Romney, sophomore, Olympus

"I think funds should be focused more on academics and the arts and less on sports. It seems like sports get more attention when our real focus should be on learning." -- Jessica Dailey, senior, Davis

"I think we should remove some of the P.E. courses. Cooking classes, home, etc., music-listening, watercolor, adult roles and interior design should also be removed when necessary." -- Zack Knudsen, sophomore, Olympus

Brooke Niemeyer is a junior at Cottonwood High School, Diana Maxfield is a junior at Davis High School, Parker Williams is a senior at Highland High School and Emma Sheffield is a junior at Olympus High School. If you are a Utah high school student and have a suggestion for trimming the education budget, please e-mail it to pulse@desnews.com or write to the Deseret News, attention: Susan Whitney.

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