Schools Need More Money, Not Less

I am a fourth-grade teacher of wonderful pupils at the excellent La Tierra Elementary School in the Saddleback Valley Unified School District.

In fact, I teach California history, a subject I find increasingly difficult to understand.

Two years ago, my colleagues and thousands of others spent time, energy and money for the passage of Proposition 98 in an effort to ensure stable funding to the schools.

We wrote letters to politicians and people in various parts of the state and spent money on media campaigns to help educate and convince the public about the importance of money in the schools.

The American dream existed! Proposition 98 passed. The people’s voices were heard.

Now the governor wants the state Legislature to suspend Proposition 98 in an effort to balance an overburdened state budget. We cannot let this nightmare occur.

My pupils and I are confused by our democratic process. The people spoke. The intent was loud and clear.

Let’s not allow our votes to be toyed with and discounted. We spoke, and we need to speak again, louder and clearer.

Schools cannot have their budgets slashed. As of April 1, our school lost two staff members, a librarian and a night custodian. That’s only the beginning.

We’ve already been cutting other corners, and further cuts are being considered, such as special education, science, computer technology and music.

California spent about $300 below the nation’s K-12 student average in 1989. This figure could be as high as $700 to $800 per student below the national average if Proposition 98 is suspended.

It is appalling that California schools receive less money than many other schools in the nation.

SUE EDELSTEIN

Laguna Beach