Gadsden parents ask council to fund young constituents

The San Luis City Council is weighing a request for city funds to help pay the Gadsden Elementary School District band's way to London to take part in that city's New Year's Day parade. There are pros and cons to granting the funds sought by a parents group that has been spearheading efforts to raise the needed $300,000 for the travel.

It can be argued it's not the city's obligation to provide taxpayer money to send schoolchildren to an international event.

And this may not be a good time to ask the council for a contribution, given recent disclosures the city is out $45,000 it previously gave organizers of a border festival to recruit a top Mexican rock group that ended up not showing for the event.

But parents would say the trip would contribute to the intellectual growth of San Luis youngsters — who happen to be among the residents city government serves.