Articles like "School for deaf to close"(Monitor, June 14) are one of the biggest reasons Laurent Clerc Academy is having trouble.

Since the Monitor has been writing about LCA, it has done nothing but point out that three students out of the six (four the first year) are the children of the director and the teacher of the school, a married couple. This has no relevance. They treat all students equally and are providing the best education to the deaf community.

These two devoted parents, who are knowledgeable about deaf education, started this school to give the deaf community the ability to have the education it deserves. They started the school to have their own children as well as others like my son receive the best education without having to move from program to program.

This is the best opportunity in the state, and it is too bad that LCA continues to struggle with enrollment. If parents continue to wait for more students, there won't be students.

They need to take the plunge, as I did. They won't be sorry.

The legislation, Department of Education and home districts have also created obstacles. I have struggled for over a year with my son's individual education plan, and the district continues to refuse placement. They feel they can meet his needs in our home district, a less restricted environment. I beg to differ. He was going into the sixth grade at a 1.3 grade level in reading.

LCA has done an awesome job increasing his reading. He sees himself as a reader. He has also regained his self-esteem, respect and independence. He is part of his deaf community, but LCA students also interact with the hearing community and hearing students.

Sending my child to LCA was the best decision I made.

The state needs to find a way to keep this school open.

The ConcordMonitor needs to focus on this positive opportunity and help the school get the message out.

(Fran Jacques lives in Rochester.)

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By FRAN JACQUES

For the Monitor