School leaders have not answered questions about these issues because public officials who fund schools have not asked. The effect of computer-drawn state and local election districts that are "safe" for incumbents has been to silence the public debate that a two-party system once provided. In the past 30 years in Fairfax, independent institutions promoting civic involvement have gone the way of the single-income family.

To be effective and efficient, bureaucracy requires oversight. In changing times, new mechanisms are needed to protect the interest of the public in local government, and the children in public schools.

Rick Nelson

Falls Church

[Nelson is a former president of the Fairfax County Federation of Teachers]

Raise Driving Age, Lower the Risks

In the article "Forum to Address Teen Driving Peril" [Fairfax Extra, April 7], Board of Supervisors Chairman Gerald E. Connolly stated: "I have yet to meet a teenager who thinks driver's education is worthwhile."

Considering that some insurance companies give no discount whatsoever for driver education, those teenagers may be right. The high risks associated with young drivers are largely a function of immaturity, something no training program can correct.

Why not reduce risk by raising the driving age? Age 17 for a learner's permit and 18 for a license seems reasonable. Our roads will be safer and -- since 18-year-olds don't need driver education -- we can drop it from the curriculum.

James A. Metcalf

Professor, George Mason University