Schools Need Sense More Than Dollars

Your editorial endorsing (state) Propositions 152 and 153 providing funds for reconstructing educational facilities would seem to be a much-needed transfusion for our decaying educational system. My teacher friends tell me, however, that these funds, if approved, will work no better than a water hose on a burning oil well.

On the other hand, rechanneling some of our current funds, otherwise earmarked for special-interest groups and those with specific needs, back into mainstream education may prove to be far more effective.

I have no problem with meeting the needs of the handicapped students by providing them with special-education teachers and smaller classes. However, when other students have to contend with a class of 45 in our high schools, and college students in our state schools cannot graduate in four years due to the limited allotments for many essential courses, one wonders if a less distorted funding scheme should be devised for the “average” students.

It pains me to see our schools cutting out trade classes such as automotive repair and woodworking from their curriculum due to lack of funding. On the contrary, Sacramento should look into the possibility of establishing trade schools as an alternative to high schools for those who are not academically inclined.

This will not only give the teachers more time to concentrate on those who can reap the benefits, but will also provide a needed skill to those who will otherwise be unemployable or relegated to earning minimum wage at best.

I urge that we vote against Propositions 152 and 153 and opt only for initiatives that will also give a heart to the Tin Man of our current educational system.

JOHN T. CHIU

Corona del Mar