Chew on this

Re “Schools pulling the plug on classroom coffeepots, fridges,” March 3

On the surface, the Glendale Unified School District’s plan to save $60,000 might seem like a pretty good idea, until one realizes that the ban will only be hurting students. My wife teaches in a nearby district. Her lunchtime is always spent in her classroom. A handful of students are ever present asking for help, using the computers or catching up on homework. Access to refrigerated food and drinks allows her to spend the entire day, including her lunch break and many hours of her own time after school, helping students in her classroom.

The $60,000 district cost equates to a little more than $2 for every student. After doing the math, even the most coldhearted school board official should marvel that such a small investment in the classroom could give back such a huge return to students.

Richard C. Creighton

La Habra Heights

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I don’t know about anyone else, but I find it totally offensive that any teacher in any school district should be able to turn his or her classroom into a kitchen.

What is wrong with an old-fashioned refillable bottle of water and a sandwich that doesn’t need refrigeration?

Apart from the taxpayers’ expense, it must be somewhat unpleasant for the students to be subjected to the smells of cooking.

Mary Overbey

Palos Verdes Estates