School Reform

As a recently retired Los Angeles Unified School District administrator, I suppose it is natural that I take offense at articles such as Barbara Perkins’ “LAUSD Lacking in Many Areas of Reform,” (Dec. 14). Perkins is certainly welcome to her misguided opinions, although I note she is qualified as an expert apparently because she is a “resident of Sylmar.” Backing my 36-year career in all areas of the district working with many “at-risk” students and seeing many of them succeed probably doesn’t qualify me as an expert in Perkins’ eyes. I challenge her statement that she is a “firm believer in dialogue.” When she characterizes hard-working teachers and administrators as non-caring individuals, rewarding themselves with “enviable pay raises,” she shuts down her alleged call for dialogue. She is right in one area, however, as she condemns teachers and administrators for seeing themselves as educational professionals. Perhaps Perkins and other amateurs should stop complaining, adjust their attitudes and try to work with the deserving students and professional educators of our community, rather than vying to be their saviors.

JOHN MILLER

Retired principal, Markham

Middle School, Watts

Northridge