Management to Blame for LAUSD Problems

As an LAUSD teacher, I commend Supt. Roy Romer’s attempts to clean up the mess he inherited (“Show LAUSD a Fair Slice of the Money,” Commentary, Sept. 5). However, his piece, coauthored with Assemblyman Tony Cardenas, points the finger at everyone other than the LAUSD for the LAUSD’s problems.

Historically (before Romer’s arrival), it has been the ineptitude of the LAUSD’s upper management and that of the LAUSD Board of Education that created the crises that exist now. For instance, it was obvious years ago that changing schools to year-round schedules and busing kids all over would only delay--not solve--the student-housing crunch. The upper management and the board knew that schools needed to be built. Nothing was done about it. Now California’s taxpayers are asked to bail the LAUSD out of a problem that upper management created.

Another example is the shortsighted pulling out and closing of lockers in the past; now taxpayers will have to pay even more to reinstall and reopen them.

Yes, the Legislature should help the innocent victims of LAUSD upper management’s ineptitude--the students. But also, Romer needs to get tough and show that he means business: He needs to start firing or demoting incompetent upper-level LAUSD managers--by the dozens, if necessary.

Or-Li Wallace

Valley Village

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I am a student at Cal State Northridge, and although it is only my first year, I know that I want to be a teacher. I strongly believe that children deserve the best and it is their state’s job to provide it.

It is not fair for those students in the LAUSD to be punished for the overcrowding in the schools. Not only is it affecting them now, but it will affect their futures. Adults who come from other school districts will have a higher rate of success. Every student deserves a fair chance in life, and it is time for California to help.

Erin Schmidt

Canyon Country