Mailbag: LCUSD contract talks of concern; stamps of approval for Portantino, Blumenfeld

May 19, 2016 2:32 PM PT

School officials deserve respect

Like every parent, I want our school district to attract and retain high-quality teachers. Paying our teachers a competitive wage is an essential part of this effort.

As we work toward a teacher salary resolution, let’s not lose sight of what makes our La Cañada school district so special. In this town, parents, teachers, administrators, and governing board members work together to achieve the impossible: an excellent public education.

I believe that the tone of the teacher salary discussions is unnecessarily threatening the magic of this collaboration. A vocal minority of teachers has recently employed inflammatory and accusatory language in an effort to muscle our administrators, board members and the greater community toward a salary resolution. Some students have been drawn into this negotiation when they would undoubtedly be better served by focusing on their studies.

It is important that we remember that Supt. Wendy Sinnette and our elected La Cañada Unified School District Governing Board are doing everything they can to put the best interests of our children first. These are thoughtful folks who understand that attracting and retaining quality teachers is critical. Wendy Sinnette is here to increase the excellence of La Cañada schools and she has an excellent track record of doing so. Similarly, school board President David Sagal and the rest of our board are bright, ethical, and hard-working volunteers who are intensely focused on our children’s education. When our administrators and our board say that we don’t have as much room as we’d like in our budget for salary increases, let’s respect their work to date and support them as they work to get teacher salaries not only closer to where teachers would like to see them, but also where we can afford for them to be.

It is our collective mission to raise educated, responsible students. As such, it is unproductive to single out and yell at folks who want only to make this district the best it can be. Doing so risks destroying the unique quality of our town. Let’s cooperate to make sure that doesn’t happen.

Kevin Martin
LCUSD parent
La Cañada Flintridge

City benefited from Portantino

I’m writing to encourage my friends and neighbors to vote for my good friend, Anthony Portantino for the state Senate. Today, I’m honored to serve as mayor of our great community, which is thriving and filled with strong cooperation between our official government organizations and our nonprofit and community partners. It’s often been said that today’s leaders benefit from the efforts of past leaders. I am very pleased to be mayor of a city that benefited from Anthony’s dedication, commitment and accomplishments. Anthony is an active and strong leader who deserves to keep working on our behalf.

Please join me in voting for Anthony when you get your ballot or at the polls.

Jonathan Curtis
Mayor
La Cañada Flintridge

Suggestion from a nonvoting teen

Many of you have already received your ballots for the June 7 Primary Election. As a 17-year-old student in our community, I won’t be voting, but I have a vested interest in the outcome, and I hope you will help elevate my voice by casting your ballot for Andrew Blumenfeld for state Assembly.

For the past several years, I have been very privileged to work with Andrew through a variety of capacities in our schools, our community and our state. From the many years I have known him, he has always been one to inspire others and defy norms, standing up for what is right no matter the odds.

In the Youth & Government program through the YMCA, not only was he the paramount leader of the organization during his participation in it, but he has left an impact on thousands of students, continuing to give back serving as a staff member and leading students across the state in new capacities every day.

As the student representative, I was lucky to serve on the LCUSD School Board alongside him, watching him revolutionize our district as a leader, policymaker, and humble public servant. He isn’t just an example to students like me, he fights for them, too.

That’s exactly what we need more of in Sacramento: people who prioritize students as our state standings are hastily falling in education. Andrew knows that citizens, professionals, and leaders are first made in classrooms. I support Andrew for Assembly as an aspiring student, longtime friend and optimistic citizen that he is exactly the person we need fighting for us in Sacramento.

Riley M. Owen
La Cañada Flintridge

An example of Portantino’s help

I am writing to support my friend Anthony Portantino for the state Senate. I’ve been reading many of the terrific letters in the papers recently discussing all the good reasons to support Anthony from his time on the City Council and in the state Assembly. Recently, something happened that highlights a more current action that Anthony took to help our community.

A couple of weeks ago, my husband and I were hosting the PTA Home Tour after-party at our house. Midday, several of us discovered that the northernmost part of La Cañada Boulevard was being blocked by a utility construction project and our guests would be blocked from accessing our house. After contacting City Hall, Anthony was the next person called. He had just finished his own volunteer shift as a docent on the tour and was at the event’s lunch. Within minutes, Anthony reached out to City Hall and within an hour the utility was forced to open up a lane so our guests could arrive at the important school fundraiser.

For about 20 years Anthony has been one of the people that many of us go to when we need help. He has earned our support for the state Senate, and I hope you will join me in voting for him.

Deborah Weirick
La Cañada Flintridge