L.A. Teacher Pay, Textbook Funds

* Re “Risk for L.A.’s Schools,” editorial, Feb. 25: I teach at a Valley middle school. There is often little personal gratification trying to teach at grade level when students are academically three to five grades below their level, uncivilized, chronically absent, rude, lazy--any or all of the above. Yes, there are many fine young people who do not fit these categories, but they are outnumbered.

Without adequate pay, many qualified teachers will leave. Those who are close to retirement will do so sooner rather than give a few extra years. Those who are qualified and expect to teach 10 to 20 more years will look to other districts with better pay, newer facilities and more-motivated students. Your question should have been directed to the school board members who did not support the contract. Is the district doing the students any good to imagine that textbooks without teachers are a solution?

VALERIE LAPE

Sylmar

* It is completely disingenuous for the LAUSD to blame teachers for raiding textbook funds for their salary hikes. At South Gate High School, where I have taught for 11 years, we spent over $100,000 for Algebra 1 textbooks over the past two years. These books are both adequate and in plentiful supply. The district, however, is forcing us to spend more than $100,000 this year to change Algebra 1 books. If the district is really so short of money, why are we replacing nearly new books? The district is also forcing our feeder middle school to replace its 1-year-old textbooks. No district administrator, however, seems disturbed by this waste. It is simply another example of a district that throws millions of dollars away per year and then claims everything is the fault of the teachers.

DANIEL ADLER

UTLA Chapter Chair

South Gate High School