Building program is in high gear

Re “L.A. Unified schools won’t lack for space,” June 23

The administration of the Los Angeles Unified School District may not lack for space, but it certainly is lacking in competence and better judgment.

L.A. Unified’s argument for continuing to build -- to allow for smaller class sizes -- doesn’t make sense. The only way to provide for smaller classes is to hire more teachers. However, the funds the district is using can only be used for construction and not for personnel. It recently let go more than 500 support staff so it wouldn’t have to cut back on educators, so it’s obvious it doesn’t have the cash to create more classes.

During this budget crisis, it would be more prudent if it returned the funds for building schools to the state. Because these schools will most likely stay empty, continuing to spend money on them is a waste.

Bobbie McIntyre

Seal Beach

How great that L.A. Unified is ahead, possibly for the first time in history, in building and improving schools.

“Temporary” bungalows whose shelf life expired decades ago, newer bungalows hermetically sealed so that all manner of vapors stupefy the children and small, antiquated auditoriums may all get replaced, repaired or expanded.

Perhaps some of the playgrounds, often the only area some urban kids have to run free (or at least walk really fast) will return to their original use once the Stalag 13 classrooms are gone.

The current downturn in home building should present some good opportunities for the district to get a lot of building bang for its buck and ramp up employment opportunities to boot.

As a taxpayer, I am encouraged, not outraged. I would gladly pay more for any concrete improvement to our public school system.

Colleen Mason

Heller

Los Angeles