Mailbag: La Cañada school matters, library sale success, candidate endorsements
Sagebrush report is incomplete
Re. “Report lists transfer options,” May 5. Thank you for your coverage of the recently released report from Capitol Advisors Group on the proposed transfer of students living in the western portion of La Cañada out of Glendale Unified and into La Cañada Unified.
The citizens committee UniteLCF! began working with both districts three years ago to seek a territory transfer. After months of negotiations, the two school districts jointly issued a proposal that recommended a student transfer phase-in and approximately $6.5 million to GUSD over a number of years. Several months later, that proposal was unilaterally discarded by GUSD, which upped its claims to an estimated $23 million. That proposal was quickly characterized by LCUSD as “untenable” and financially ruinous.
This goes to the heart of our objection to the Capitol Advisors report. How could a negotiated framework for a transfer presented to the public in March 2014 suddenly more than triple the claimed monetary impacts to GUSD? I fully expected Capitol Advisors to evaluate GUSD’s monetary claims for reasonableness. Without opining on the legitimacy of GUSD’s financial claims, I find the Capitol Advisors report to be incomplete and flawed. It does little to advance the process.
Tom Smith
Chair, UniteLCF! – One City – One School District La Cañada Flintridge
--
Transfer costs add up
La Cañada public school students are fortunate to be taught by outstanding teachers, but that won’t always be the case if we do not pay competitive salaries. Given the salary data, why does LCUSD continue, year after year, to squander resources on exploring a Sagebrush acquisition?
Residents there chose to live in the Glendale district, do not pay LCUSD taxes and do not elect the LCUSD Board of Education. Our school board should not give Sagebrush a windfall at the expense of our teachers and students.
Janice Partyka
La Cañada Flintridge
--
Teachers deserve a raise in pay
From my perspective, the school district would be well advised to give the teachers the raise they seek. I am a teacher supporter, having been fortunate enough to run the Walt Disney Co. American Teacher Awards selection committee and the American Civic Education Teacher Awards program. Nearly every educational researcher agrees that the key to a high-quality education for the students is the quality of their teachers.
Most of our classes are overcrowded, significantly eroding our teachers’ working conditions. Our district has received additional money from the state and the foremost priority should be to raise the teachers’ salaries. I have heard people decry the teachers’ union and I have no inside information on the integrity of their tactics. That would be deplorable but would not be to the point. The teachers deserve a raise. I know the school board members are great people and they are trying to safeguard the district’s finances for the present and the future. But I disagree with their perspective.
Finally, people who decry unions in general aren’t reflecting on American history. Unions arose because of unjust working conditions. Union membership has fallen not because unions are corrupt and business is benign, but because the federal government awoke to its responsibilities to protect worker’s rights and safe working conditions. The fact that the La Cañada teachers’ union is representing the teachers shows that unions remain relevant today.
John H. Hale
La Cañada Flintridge
--
Library Friends success
The Friends of the Library would like to thank the Foothill community for its support of the Spring 2016 Book Sale. Your book donations and then your purchase of many books at the sale will help to continue the purchase of books on tape, large print books, the community’s favorite books and especially all the wonderful programs presented by the staff at the La Cañada Flintridge County Library. The Friends want to give a shout out to the following: Boy Scout Troop 501, Glen Schinke, the Lehmann family, the Marshall family, Anne Browne, Toni Braun, Judy O’Brien, Diane Seidel, Joe and Lynn Thompson and Jon Barstad for extra help with setup and takedown of the books and tables. Many hands make for light work.
Rosemary Hook
President, Friends of the LCF Library
--
Supporting Portantino
Since we are faced with so many decisions this election year between candidates and propositions, I wanted to share my experiences with state Senate candidate Anthony Portantino. Anthony has the support of our family for several important reasons. Like many of our neighbors and friends, my husband and I were active volunteers in our community as our two daughters grew up. PTA, AYSO and NCL got the bulk of our attention, and I was also honored to serve eight years as a Public Works commissioner for the city of La Cañada. Two decades ago, traffic around our schools was a mess. The communication and cooperation between our school district and City Hall was not what it is today. Anthony was the driving force who was able to bring all of the parties to the table in a cohesive, impactful and congenial way. His concern for the community has always been paramount to him, and his approach to getting things done is one of teamwork and cooperation.
As our council member and mayor, Anthony Portantino integrated PTA leaders into city commissions, gave serious focus to all our schools, volunteered as an AYSO referee for almost two decades and helped create a culture of cooperation between the LCUSD and the city that continues to thrive today.
I can say without hesitation or question that Anthony Portantino is everything a leader should be. His concern and commitment to his community and beyond is obvious to anyone who has had the opportunity to work with him. Our family is proud to support him.
Dawn A Witte
La Cañada Flintridge
--
Renewed political faith
I normally am not vocal about my political preferences, as I prefer to avoid controversy. There is one candidate, however, for whom I am proud to voice my support. That is Anthony Portantino, who is running for state Senate. I’ve known Anthony and his family ever since we moved to La Cañada many years ago. We became friends through St. Bede’s Church and our great La Cañada schools, but that alone is not why he has my vote. Oftentimes, someone approaches a political official with a problem, only to be given some answer that is more of an excuse. Anthony, however, proved that some politicians do listen and get things done.
Several years ago, I found that more than one good friend in town got her first recommended mammogram at 40 and then subsequently found she had breast cancer. I, as well as many others, were concerned that the laws in place were inadequate and needed to change. That’s when I saw Anthony in the post office and decided to share our concerns directly with him.
Anthony not only listened, but he researched the issue and found that many younger women were not accessing state of the art detection. Anthony, then a member of the state Assembly, authored AB 137 which requires health insurance to provide coverage for mammography, for screening or diagnostic purposes, upon referral as specified, based on medical need regardless of age.
The entire situation renewed my faith in the political process. When you have a political leader like Anthony open to a serious conversation in a post office and who changes state law to help women, you have the type of person we need in Sacramento. Yes, Anthony Portantino is my choice for the state Senate and I hope he’s yours, too. Oh, and incidentally, I am a very loyal Republican, so I tease Anthony that he is the first Democrat to get my vote.
Jean Stroud
La Cañada Flintridge
--
Fighting on voters’ behalf
Over the years, I have worked hard to support our community and especially our schools. Having four grandkids in La Cañada schools makes me keenly aware of the powerful relationship between strong schools and a vibrant economy, especially as it impacts the real estate market with which I have also been involved in for many, many years.
Supporting Andrew Blumenfeld in his bid for state Assembly is an easy call for me. I know he is best suited to represent us in Sacramento, fight against special interests, advocate for local control, and ensure that we have the best schools possible, with all the benefits that come from that.
I know this because he has already done it. No matter the challenge, and no matter how long the odds, Andrew has continued to successfully fight on our behalf, and I am eager to support his effort to continue doing so in our state Assembly.
If you vote by mail, your ballot may have already arrived. I urge you to mark it for Andrew Blumenfeld, and send it back today. Andrew has demonstrated his ability to deliver on his commitments to our community; our students have benefited, our housing prices have benefited, and our community has benefited. Acting on our behalf in the state Assembly, Andrew will be well situated to continue to be our champion on a wide range of issues for years to come.
My wife Diane and I have lived here for over 35 years. I know the 43rd Assembly District is made up of sophisticated voters who will do their homework before casting this important vote. I hope you will learn more about Andrew Blumenfeld (www.Andrew4Assembly.com) and consider joining me in supporting this important campaign for state Assembly.
Sid Karsh
La Cañada Flintridge