School District’s High-Rent Offices

C’mon, give us taxpayers a break. Los Angeles Unified School District is now housing a third of its administrative staff in one of the most glamorous office buildings downtown (March 14). David W. Koch, L.A. Unified’s chief administrative officer, has reported a cut in absenteeism and boosted productivity.

Perhaps if our children were housed in such luxurious facilities with breathtaking views, they too would be inspired to attend school every day and improve their academic performance.

LINDA ROSEN, Malibu

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Thanks for the interviews of the LAUSD Board of Education candidates (Opinion, March 14).

I learned that the incumbents believe the education system is fine and that three of the incumbents couldn’t even answer the questions directly. My third-graders would get a “redo” if they submitted answers like that. Their answers were unresponsive and unfocused, like much of the school district.

SHANE McLOUD, Santa Monica

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There has been a sad increase in the media’s focus on the LAUSD’s faltering performance, perhaps rightfully so. We make no reference, however, to the fact that amid what seems to be the worst, Los Angeles also shelters the best.

How quickly do we forget El Camino High School in the National Academic Decathlon, a competition where LAUSD schools have a history of success. What happened to Venice High School’s No. 1 finish in the National Science Bowl not so long ago? Not to mention North Hollywood High’s rating as the No. 1 high school in the West (No. 10 nationally) by Newsweek magazine for having the highest number of students passing AP tests and for providing the top three National AP scholars.

Yes, the LAUSD is not perfect, and perhaps reforms are necessary, but let us not forget that the LAUSD also has much to be proud of.

PHILIP TANEDO, LAUSD student, Los Angeles