In response to the letter “Anastasio an asset to Augusta schools” (June 24), I have no doubt that Jim Anastasio is a dedicated school employee. However, I don’t think as superintendent for the past four years that he has been an very effective at recognizing that society and families have changed and that schools need to respond to these changes and implement new and innovative programs that truly meet children were they are at and help them grow into knowledgeable and productive citizens.

We can lament how things used to be when we were children and that times were better. Perhaps they were.

However, clinging to that nostalgia gets in the way of addressing the serious issues that our children face as they try to navigate a world that is vastly different than the one we remember from our youth.

I would hope that the school board and the superintendent would avail themselves of the numerous local, state and federal resources and agencies that offer many free and innovative programs that truly will help our children and our community in the 21st century.

Kathleen Mahoney

Augusta