LAist: Excuse Me, Governor, but WTF?

ker

Mon, 09 Jun 2008 20:39:51 -0800

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.

EricLee31

Sun, 08 Jun 2008 22:57:00 -0800

Teachers who can't spell are what's appalling. No wonder he's not worried about paying you...

jrb

Sun, 08 Jun 2008 11:03:39 -0800

"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.

gingerous

Sat, 07 Jun 2008 23:57:59 -0800

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?

buzz

Sat, 07 Jun 2008 22:21:33 -0800

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.

BitterB

Sat, 07 Jun 2008 17:36:52 -0800

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.

fabricio

Sat, 07 Jun 2008 14:08:45 -0800

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.

field

Sat, 07 Jun 2008 12:48:09 -0800

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!

RMSpuhler

Sat, 07 Jun 2008 12:45:19 -0800

But Paul, the art classes are without no paper or scissors!

paul

Sat, 07 Jun 2008 12:03:34 -0800

Will teachers' spelling be even more appalling after this cut?

db

Sat, 07 Jun 2008 11:46:07 -0800

Remember when California impeached Gray Davis because of budget issues? Good times.

jrb

Sat, 07 Jun 2008 11:21:55 -0800

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)