Do not accept this proposal.  If we take the funding and push it to the local level there is an enormous chance that these programs will be completely eliminated from some locals.  We already face the problem of the gifted children being responsible for pulling the other children along in the mainstream classes.  If it wasn't for our gifted resource teacher these children are the ones who are going to be left behind!! How can we expect every child to reach their potential if they are not given the proper opportunities?  We can realistically see our gifted programs in our county being cut because of lack of monies and the logic being that the gifted children make the scores needed so we don't need to worry about them.  But these children are our future leaders and if we don't give them the challenges they need to meet their potential what are we setting ourselves up for????  Again do not accept this proposal!