By Dr. Lisette Bauersachs Santa Monica
I wish the school board and school district would listen to the education experts and published studies (“Schools mull how to break ‘BB’ bread,” Feb. 1, page 3). Smaller is better! Smaller class size and smaller schools have been shown to be better for all students. Why then would we ever go back to increasing enrollment in our schools? Franklin Elementary School has over 800 students on one campus. That is too big.
Furthermore, too many of my son’s 8th grade classmates at Lincoln (Middle School) will not go to Santa Monica High this September. Why? It is just too big. It is time we look at the big picture and stop putting our schools out to sale with permits. If I remember correctly, that Measure BB money was voted on by Santa Monica and Malibu residents and will be paid by only Santa Monica and Malibu residents. Why are we spending this money to “give” permits out for free to City of Los Angeles residents? I also am paying for Measure S. Again, all L.A. residents who attend our city schools do not pay these bonds and fees.
If Samohi and all the other schools were smaller, we would not have to give out permits to non-residents to attend. City residents would opt for our local schools and not the private ones. This is a failing catch-22 system that penalizes us, the loyal city residents. Stop issuing permits and make our schools smaller and our community stronger. If Samohi only had Santa Monica residents attending, it would be smaller and attract many of the students who are fleeing to private schools. This out-of-city permit practice must stop. Smaller is better.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on February 3, 2007. Read the original PDF.