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# Brentwood Good schools are worth the money
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/brentwood-good-schools-are-worth-the-money/
- Published: 2008-02-05T16:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-24T18:20:15.000Z
- Author: Guest Author
- Tags: Opinion, Brentwood, #archive-import

*By Michael Everett*

Regarding Mat Millen’s editorial opposing Measure R ( “R seeks parcel tax for a very long time,” page 5, Jan. 30) my view is since both our country and our state have converted to the ‘credit card’ system of financing government, and it will be left to our children and their children to pay off the debt anti-tax fanatics like Mat Millen have left to them. It seems the very least we can do for the kids is to give them the very best education money can buy, because they’re going to need it when it comes time to pay our bills.

Mr. Millen wrings his hands over the $29 a month homeowners will have to pay, but please — if you can own a home in this area but can’t afford the $29 a month for a school system that adds far more than $29 to the value of your home, then maybe it’s time to move to a more affordable area. Millen implies our schools already have all the money they need and Measure R funds would be used for administrators and employees, as if these are things schools don’t need.

Does Measure R go on for a very long time as Millen charges? It can always be voted out, but why? Aren’t schools a permanent part of our community and isn’t one generation of students succeeded by the next?

Mr. Millen complains of a lack of accountability on the part of the school board. Doesn’t he vote? What better accountability is there than free and open elections?

My daughter went through this system and got a first-rate education form it. From Kindergarten to high school I went to every parent’s night, and met every one of her teachers, and I can tell you without reservation, this school system is as good as it gets. Despite what some will tell you, there are things in this world more important than twenty-nine bucks, and this is one of them.

*Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on February 5, 2008.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/020508.pdf?ref=smdp.com)