School Social Services Backed

Sorry, but I’m not buying Orange Unified School District Trustee Bill Lewis’ defending the position of the reactionary majority to deny needed services to school kids (“Use Public Schools for Learning, Not for Social Welfare Programs,” Orange County Voices, April 21).

I bet Lewis would be delighted to see public school children taking time away from the 3 Rs to learn that old-time religion. After all, that’s why Howard Ahmanson’s and state Sen. Rob Hurtt’s Education Alliance financed his campaign. This isn’t about education, it’s about religion.

BILL LAKIN

Capistrano Beach

* I’d like to thank Bill Lewis for taking us below the “surface” of these insidious school-based clinics and exposing them for what they really are.

Actually, he did not mention what they really are, but he did make crystal clear the potential devastation our public schools face if they go unchecked. And to think I was worried about gangs, drugs and guns.

He will get no argument from me on his first point. The “medical and social needs of children are best addressed by parents.” Absolutely right. And drunks shouldn’t drive, and children shouldn’t shoot other children, and zealous, misdirected, coldhearted school board members shouldn’t deny needy children basic health and nutrition services. But unfortunately, these things do happen. I’m not sure though, that they’re all equal when compared as threats to our “family structure.”

K.R. CROWLEY

Orange

* Bill Lewis’ thought-provoking article on campus welfare programs is 100% correct. Indeed, public schools should be used as a place of learning.

Lewis claims removing welfare programs will not deprive children of breakfast and lunch programs, immunization programs, charity events, etc. But if our children will be aided by such programs, then I can’t understand the problem with having psychological and social services as well. As Lewis keenly points out, costs are too high and if the programs do not consist of academic studies such as reading, writing and so on--they will not help our children learn.

The real problem is the lack of social welfare services. Underprivileged children would not have the benefits of counseling, and in the long run this would hinder the learning process in public schools. Thus, the costs that arise are minimal in the face of the big picture.

ANIL KAPUR

Irvine