By Joel Sender Santa Monica
In his letter printed on Friday, Feb. 28, Thom Trybus assumes that the financial problems facing the SMMUSD are the result of mismanagement and teacher greed.
I don’t know which planet he’s on, but it sure isn’t Earth. Down here the school district lost a major source of funding from the State of California. Warning the community about the devastating impact of state funding cuts is responsible communication, not whining. The school district has a responsibility to either find additional funds or cut services. What would Thom have them do, send the students home? Run up a debt without voter approval? Thom may have his head planted firmly in the sand, but I thank goodness that Dr. Deasy and the school board don’t.
Perhaps the reason Thom finds himself considered “dull and ignorant” is that he jumps to conclusions without checking the facts. Schools in the SMMUSD were over crowded BEFORE the budget cuts. Teachers, who Thom calls “greedy,” receive very low pay, work long unpaid hours after classes, and use their own money to purchase needed supplies that the district cannot afford. All for the privilege of being the target of know-nothings like Thom.
As for the music trip to Boston, Thom should check his facts; the students and their chaperones (Thom would send children on a trip without adult supervision!) contribute to the cost, and receive specific private donations to support the program. Thom may not understand the educational value of a music program, but educators, benefactors and parents do.
As a parent of two students in SMMUSD schools, I know first hand that Dr. Deasy has raised the level of professionalism and financial responsibility at the school district. He deserves our thanks, not Thom’s unfounded scorn. The challenge facing our schools did not result form actions taken on the local level; it was the Bush administration that sat back and allowed the energy companies (GOP donors) steal TEN BILLION DOLLARS from Californians. The Bush administration has cut back school funding (while creating the largest debt in history). When the parcel tax passes it will be the first of many tax increases caused by Resident Bush and his owners.
Thom, it’s easy to ignore the facts and complain, but the real challenge is to find solutions. That’s how we do things here on Earth.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on March 3, 2003. Read the original PDF.