School Layoffs Prevent Cuts in Services
* I am responding to your two letter writers (“Wrong People Laid Off in Orange Schools,” Feb. 13). First of all, no one wants to see any layoffs of school employees; particularly those who most affect our children’s education.
I have three children attending Orange Unified public schools. The last thing I want to see is a cut in my children’s educational services.
The layoffs are the result of nine months of failed contract negotiations with the classified union. It should be noted, however, that the teachers’ union did reach an agreement with our administration, as unpleasant as that agreement was for them.
The reason that money has been so tight these last few years is quite simple. George Bush raised our taxes, Pete Wilson raised our taxes, and now Bill Clinton has raised our taxes.
As long as the public continues to allow our politicians to raise taxes, thereby sucking money out of the private sector and shrinking the tax base, we will have fewer dollars to spend on education.
When I first came into office a little more than two years ago, our school district had roughly one-third fewer administrators than the number recommended by the state Department of Education. Since that time, we have left five additional vacated administrative positions unfilled!
Orange Unified certainly has its share of problems to overcome, but an overabundance of administrators is not one of them.
BILL LEWIS
Member, Board of Trustees
Orange Unified School District
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