Letters: Priced out of public schools

Re “School activist won’t be ignored,” Column One, April 23

Kudos to Sally Smith. We need her in Long Beach, where the school district is determined to institutionalize income inequality by making most school activities accessible to wealthier kids only.

When you implement a system in which those who pay the most get the most, then those who can’t feel left out and are not as likely to succeed.

My complaints to the school board and to the state superintendent went unanswered. I did get a response from Gov. Jerry Brown, who said that if the local school board failed to address this, I should take the matter up with — the state superintendent.

Angela Black
Seal Beach

I have some news for Smith and the parents of elementary school children.

That brooch made of noodles and toothpicks that she proudly pointed out as being paid for with taxpayer dollars? Likely it was paid for by out-of-pocket money from the teacher.

Every year, I and thousands of other elementary school teachers shell out money to make sure every child takes home a Mother’s Day gift. Many of us do the same for other holiday gifts.

Noodles, buttons, yarn, fabric and the like do not fit under any budget code — except the one in the teacher’s home.

Kathy DeChellis
Canyon Country

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