Public Schools Try to Cope With Inadequate Funding

Steve Williams’ articulate letter (“Speaking Out on Schools,” May 3) presented some very thought-provoking statements. I am a retired classroom teacher of many years with the Anaheim city schools. In my judgment, none of his statements can apply to my former school district.

It is true that over the years many things have changed in the field of public education. One of the great hallmarks of change came with the passage of Proposition 13. The citizens of this state decided that the bulk of funding for public education must come from Sacramento.

The state, with control of the purse strings in its demesne, has exercised its license to mandate many new programs. The power to implement all of the educational programs still rests in the hands of our local school board.

During the month of May, we will celebrate Public Schools Week. Our district will present open-house programs in all city schools. I would recommend that Mr. Williams, as well as all citizens, accept the invitation to visit one or all of our city schools. Examine the textbooks; scrutinize the displays of our children’s work; talk to our principals, teachers and janitorial staff. If he should find anything of an educational nature that fits his critical statements, I would want him to organize his facts and present them at the next meeting of our school board.

The responsibilities of the education program still rest in the hands of our local school board.

I would urge all of the citizens of Anaheim to really examine the programs offered by the Anaheim City School District before they make any decisions to vote for initiatives that would make drastic changes in our present public school prospectus.

WILLIAM FLYNN, Anaheim