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June 7, 2008
Excuse Me, Governor, but WTF?
Notice I didn't write "Governator." It's important to start off on the right foot here, meaning the correct one, not the opposite of left. Anyway, as a former substitute teacher in the nation's second largest school district, a parent, and a concerned Angeleno, I would like to pose a simple question to you.
What the fuck are you doing?
Your plan to cut $350 million from the LAUSD budget is appauling, and you should be ashamed of yourself as a citizen of this country and a resident of this state and county. Los Angeles opened its arms to an super-sized Austrian who could barely speak a lick of English. Remember Hercules in New York? I wish I didn't. Your accent was so bad, some versions released overdubbed you in post in order to try and salvage some sort of profit from that piece of garbage. Robert Altman wouldn't even give you a line in The Long Goodbye, God rest his cranky soul.
Now put yourself back in that situation. You know that in order to make it in this country you've got to have more than a bumpy physique. Language skills are necessary! Basic math is crucial! It also helps to have quality people teaching you these things with a classroom full of useful material and a paycheck to keep them there for years and years.
So many high schools, especially on the Eastside, like Roosevelt, Wilson, Garfield, Marshall, and any other president you can think of, are in dire need of funding. Middle schools like Hollenbeck, El Sereno, Belvedere, and Arroyo Seco had very little 4 or 5 years ago. The one constant, like Penny to Desmond, was the lack of support from the state. Imacs with no keyboards, art classes without no paper or scissors, 3 students to 1 textbook, and 1 teacher to 45 students. Very little has changed, if not gotten worse.
Do you really think that puling 3.8 billion (that's with a "b") from public education is the wisest of decisions, or are you not calling the shots up there in Sactown? Parents in this state, and especially this city, need to know that their children have a chance. Moms and dads want to raise their kids here. They want them to thrive and be successful, to stay in the city, and have faith in public education so that their kids can have a chance. It's time to jump out of your Hummer, put out the cigar, and use that cybernetic organism you call a brain and rethink this absurd proposal. Otherwise, we all lose. Explain that to the kids, but save the song and dance.
Photo by Sumith Meher via Flickr
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ITA Cody!
Balancing the budget on the backs of the children, and the people who teach them pretty much sucks. And I can't believe the Repugs in Sacto want to let the wealthy keep the sales tax "sloophole" for their expensive toys.
(BTW, I can't pass up the chance to give a teacher shit about misspelling appauling)
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Remember when California impeached Gray Davis because of budget issues?
Good times.
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Will teachers' spelling be even more appalling after this cut?
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But Paul, the art classes are without no paper or scissors!
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Can we impeach him?
He is an awful Governator.
Also, I really do not want his name on my marriage license. It will turn it into a joke...
NEXT!
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He doesn't give a shit about anything aside from the ground where he stands. Like every other republican. They only rule for their ONLY interests... I cannot understand that people don't see this.
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The California budget deficit is 16 billion dollars.
So, if in your own home budget you are in a budget deficit situation, what do you do? You must cut the budget drastically, right? And that may mean you have to cut some things that are both popular and essential.
I don't think there is a vendetta against the schools or the teachers, but they have certainly made it look like there is one. The teachers have positioned themselves as being much oppressed, but I looked up teachers salaries and they make between
$46 and $60 per year, with benefits and perks, like subsidies on home loans. It's not big money but it's not a bad living. I know I'd be happy to get it.
Teaching must be a difficult profession, but nobody forces people to become teachers, and frankly, the quality of the teaching isn't all that impressive in the public schools. I know, I know.... it's not the teachers fault. It's the kids and their terrible parents and the crime and the lack of materials.... we've all heard it. I'm just having a more and more difficult time believing it.
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the answer is simple but taboo. we have to raise taxes. allowing indian casinos to install more slot machines ain't gonna cut it. when will the citizenry realize that the services we take for granted are not only expensive, but they're getting more expensive - and state revenues are decreasing. i'm terrible with my checkbook, but I understand what needs to be done in CA. we need higher taxes and less-corrupt/more competent officials managing those funds. simple. git 'er done.
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The cuts will hurt, yes. Unfortunately, you can throw all the money in the world at education, but the problems we have of dropouts, low test scores (which IS a problem despite what opponents of testing say), violence, and premature sexual activity will not go away without a wide-reaching social change.
LAUSD has a graduation rate of about 44%. I'd wager that most readers of this site are high school, if not college, graduates, so the statistics probably don't make much sense to you. But think about it: a majority of your city's youth--our future--are not finishing their education. Where will this lead us in a few years' time? Where will it lead them?
Sure, blame the 40,000 teachers in the district. More than half of them leave the profession within 5 years anyway, so the district is constantly trying to fill vacant positions. Want a job? Have a BA and a teaching credential (about two years of coursework, usually attained in conjunction with a master's degree)? I know three teachers who left after their first year; get in line quickly so can start swallowing the bureaucracy that only the second biggest district in the country can create.
These teachers got tired of the disrespect from students, parents, administrators, and the general public. The overwhelming sense of frustration trying to reach students who are performing several grade levels below where they should be, who are more concerned with joining a tagging crew--or worse, a real street gang, who are getting arrested, raped, pregnant, and killed.
At least the money's great, huh?
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"He doesn't give a shit about anything aside from the ground where he stands. Like every other republican."
Arnie is a typical GOPer despite the image he tries to project. GOPer doctrine dictates that cuts in spending must always come from those least able to defend themselves against them. Usually the poorest, and already most disenfranchised who rarely vote anyway. Besides, what poor person, or even a teacher making $60K a year, is going to be able to spend $20,000 a pop at a fund raiser dinner?
There are plenty of places Arnie could be getting more tax revenues.
Most states charge the oil companies who drill and pump oil out from under their state, a tax or royalty of some kind. California doesn't. You really have to wonder why not after they've enjoyed nearly a decade of record profits.
Arnie also early on vetoed a tax on cell phone providers, and what would have amounted to a cell phone consumer's bill of rights. His reasoning? Bad for business. They'll pack up and go somewhere else.
Can anyone imagine a cell phone company passing up the California market for any reason?
These are the folks who can afford $20K a pop to attend a fund raiser.
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Teachers who can't spell are what's appalling. No wonder he's not worried about paying you...
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LAUSD will not be the only district suffering if the budget cuts go through. I am in a neighboring (though much smaller) district and we are looking at devastating cuts to our schools as well. Everyone in the entire area will be feeling the effects.
To comment on,"Teaching must be a difficult profession, but nobody forces people to become teachers, and frankly, the quality of the teaching isn't all that impressive in the public schools. I know, I know.... it's not the teachers fault. It's the kids and their terrible parents and the crime and the lack of materials.... we've all heard it. I'm just having a more and more difficult time believing it."
It's true, no one forces people to go into teaching. I went into teaching because of the children. I thoroughly enjoy working with them. I did not go into it thinking I would be making millions. And I most certainly did not enter the profession to deal with the bureaucracy that comes with it. Unfortunately, you can't have one without the other. Yes, I agree, not all teachers are wonderful. HOWEVER, not all teachers are incompetent either.
I have always believed that if an individual devalues what a teacher can do and what they DO...they have never truly met a teacher.
People believe you can treat schools like a business. No money? Cut funding/employees/benefits. Yes, in theory, that works. But, in a school, you can't do that. Students aren't employees. Students have to go to school no matter their ability, disabilities, and beliefs. In a business, you pick and choose people with the most experience. So when it comes to performing they can manage the task effectively no matter the situation. Kids on the other hand...the less you give them, the less they can gain. Especially those in need.
I agree that something has to be done. It's just unfortunate that it's on the backs of our children.