DR. WALLACE: I'm in the 12th grade. I love music, and after I graduate, I plan to major in education at the University of Illinois with an emphasis on music because I want to teach high school music and be the marching band director.

My only concern is that high schools in some areas of Illinois are freezing teacher's salaries and have talked about cutting back music and athletic programs. It has been difficult passing school bond initiatives because homeowners don't want tax increases.

My parents want me to major in mathematics. They think it will be much easier to be employed as a math teacher rather than a music teacher. I really want to be in the music field, but I wouldn't be unhappy teaching mathematics. Since you are a former high school principal, which do you think would be in my best interest? — Nameless, Geneva, Ill.

NAMELESS: School funding is often touch-and-go and fraught with uncertainty because it pits school districts against homeowners who are always, and understandably, wary of tax increases.

Sometimes, in order to dramatize the necessity of a funding increase, school districts will confront the community with the possibility of having to eliminate popular programs, such as music and athletics. Occasionally, cuts in these programs really do take place, but usually the school district finds a way to keep them going.

My advice would be that you give yourself an extra measure of security. Major in music, with a minor in math at the university. That way, you have the flexibility of dual proficiency. And don't forget that high schools always have plenty of teachers, but only one band director. This is a highly competitive position.

MY BOYFRIEND MIGHT PLAY MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL

DR. WALLACE: My boyfriend and I have been together for two years. We are both 18 and are in the 12th grade. He is a terrific baseball player, and he thinks that after he graduates, a major league baseball team will offer him a contract to play in the minor leagues in their farm system. He plays shortstop and is a great fielder and a good hitter.

Of course, I'm also hoping that a team offers him a contract and that he will eventually make the major leagues. But on the other hand, I'm worried that he will be having girls throwing themselves at him. Girls love professional athletes, so it will be easy for him to see hundreds of girls while I sit at home wondering about his off-the-field activities.

We have discussed this, but my boyfriend said that he is going to concentrate 100 percent on baseball and that he won't have time to fool around with girls. How can I cope with this possible problem? He is terribly cute and has a great build and a million-dollar smile. — Nameless, Miami, Fla.

NAMELESS: You're being attacked by the green-eyed monster, otherwise known as jealousy. The only solution is trust. When your boyfriend tells you that he will concentrate on hitting curves, not chasing them, believe him.

If you can't do that — indeed, if you are unable to be 100 percent supportive of his goal to become a Major League ballplayer — you should end the relationship now, so you both can get on with your lives.

Your boyfriend will spend half of a year concentrating on baseball. That leaves the other half free so that he can concentrate on you.

Dr. Robert Wallace welcomes questions from readers. Although he is unable to reply to all of them individually, he will answer as many as possible in this column. E-mail him at [email protected]. To find out more about Dr. Robert Wallace and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.