Focus on improvement in the classroom

Re “L.A. Schools State Their Case,” May 20

Based on my own, albeit limited, experience with the L.A. school system, I can offer an interesting perspective on this matter.

As a volunteer with the literacy program Koreh LA, I had an opportunity to visit the Los Angeles Unified School District headquarters and spend time at two elementary schools with similar student demographics in the same general area. My observations and conclusions: There are gross -- and needless -- waste and inefficiencies, and there are such huge differences between the two schools that one is excellent and the other is poor. Hiring a public relations expert to lobby and improve the image of the school system and school board will not change the facts.

I’m not sure Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa’s plan is the optimum, but our kids deserve -- and need -- a real change. Facts speak much louder than a PR experts’ words -- and you don’t have to pull money out of the school funds to pay for it. I vote to give our mayor a chance.

GEORGE EPSTEIN

Los Angeles

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Let’s hire a political strategist for L.A. Unified and expand lobbying efforts in Sacramento. Let’s pump up our image -- that will make things better and keep the mayor off our backs.

This is the district’s current education fix.

Here’s a thought: Drop class size -- substantially. When a class of 40-plus middle-school children use our school library, I am astounded at what teachers must accomplish. I also think about how the district touts literacy but passes over funding for library books.

I am so sorry that the folks in the district’s department of government and legislative relations “are tapped out” and “need more resources.” Focus on kids and their teachers and no one will have to worry about image.

ROZA BESSER

Library Media Teacher

Portola Middle School

Tarzana