There Are No Simple Solutions to Problems of School Financing

The celebration of National Library Week last week brings to mind the fact that in 1992, and thereafter, there won’t be such a week to commemorate unless we in Irvine take positive action June 4. In fact, we should declare that day to be “Local Library Day” in Irvine.

I refer to the necessity to pass Measure P, the annual parcel tax of $35 that will go to maintain present levels of library/media services, as well as science instruction and teacher training in the Irvine Unified School District.

While I have no knowledge of how this problem is being approached in other areas, I would hope that they, too, are seeking parallel solutions to a thorny issue.

Thirty-five dollars a year added to our property tax in Irvine probably won’t break any of us, but it certainly will make us stand out as caring citizens who take seriously our responsibilities to our children and grandchildren. The child deprived of opportunity to develop reading and computer skills--a vital function of the media teacher--is subjected to a subtle form of abuse through neglect.

The budget crunch is a reality that must be dealt with, and in Irvine, voting yes on Measure P on June 4 is the very best way to overcome the deficit that threatens severe cutbacks in library/media services.

Why should a senior citizen such as I worry about curtailment of training for our youngsters? I’m concerned for my own grandchildren, obviously, but I’m also thinking of the thousands of others whose curriculum is menaced unless we provide needed funds to sustain current programs.

For those seniors who would endure hardship by the extra payment of $35 a year, I am told that the tax can be waived upon filing of a formal request. For most, however, that small sum will never be missed.

I understand that the theme of National Library Week was “Kids Who Read Succeed.” You better believe it! A study a few years ago revealed that the level of expenditures for library and media services in schools all across the country has the highest correlation with student achievement.

That’s reason enough.

ROBERT L. McGRATH

Irvine