Outdated School System Needs Overhaul

I have taught music to students in grades K-6 in the Los Angeles Unified School District for 25 years.

Re: “It’s Back to Basics in Far-Flung Bungalow 20” (Oct. 30), I applaud (former school board president) Jackie Goldberg for returning to the classroom and utilizing her teaching certificate as it was meant to be used. The public would be shocked to know the number of certificated “out-of-classroom” personnel there are in the (district) who seldom, if ever, come near a student.

Out among the rank and file, Goldberg expresses surprise at having to explain the actions of the Board of Education and at her colleagues’ cynicism about the school system and its board and administration.

Well, we call it as we see it. We have good reason to be cynical when we see hot, dirty, crowded classrooms for our students and spacious, clean, air-conditioned offices for our administrators.

We have good reason to be cynical as we face the threat of salary cuts while being fully aware that our district remains top heavy with highly paid bureaucrats.

When Goldberg alludes to the good things that happen in our schools, she is correct. The school-based personnel--teachers, principals, maintenance and cafeteria workers, clerical staff, aides and parent volunteers--are doing a splendid job in spite of having to cope with an over-regulated, outdated, top-heavy management system, a powerless board and an insensitive state government.

We must slowly and humanely dismantle the outmoded bureaucracy and rebuild a system that truly meets the needs of students and teachers. I welcome Goldberg back to the reality of public education in the classroom and would encourage more people to do the same.

BILL HUTTON, San Gabriel