Since children cannot defend themselves, we must be judicious when we attack the institutions that care for them. We must seek truth and right wrongs without creating such animosity that children are punished by a withdrawal of public support.
Proposition X construction has been in the news lately. The undersigned school leaders have been discussing Proposition X at several meetings every month for about 1 1/2 years. We have not seen recent editorial letter writers at these duly noticed public forums.
We cordially invite them, and every concerned citizen, to attend. We are not dismayed that classrooms were built first. Academic instruction is the main focus of a child’s education. Lest readers think we fail to value a well-rounded approach, we are the individuals responsible for raising and administrating about $1 million every year to provide the music, art, and physical education the state does not. We also fund aides in elementary school classrooms, after-school programs, science instruction and materials, library books, furniture, and computer instruction and materials.
Please remember, California is 36th out of the 50 states in spending per student. California’s schools are among the nation’s most overcrowded and dilapidated. California’s public school system, once stellar, is now deeply troubled, thanks to the 1976 measure capping property taxes. In similar areas in other states, taxpayers annually invest $9,000 – $16,000 per public school child. Even with our efforts, we still did not reach the national average of $6,400.
In the midst of this flawed system, our school district struggles to deliver an excellent education. Our local parcel tax, construction bonds, cities’/district financial partnerships, volunteers and service clubs demonstrate community support for children. Thank you, Malibu!
Please closely read Mr. Benjamin’s information regarding funding for Proposition X projects. (Editor’s note: Benjamin’s letter appears below.) We are confident the public will find that the district and citizen activists did a creditable job securing the funds necessary to complete all projects.
As anyone who has undergone construction will agree, there are always problems. As anyone close to the Proposition X process will agree, wonderful facilities are being built for the children, facilities of which we can all be proud and which we can all enjoy for many years to come.
Karen Farrer and Kate Ross, MHS PTA former and current presidents; Wendy Cary and David Kramer, MHS Site Governance chairs, and Kate Wisnicki, Laura Rosenthal, Deedee Cooper, Stephanie Balik, Claudia Urets, Beth Pugh, Deirdre Roney, Lisa Toledo, Kevin Montgomery and Mary Ellen Sherry, former and current presidents and Site Governance chairs of Point Dume, Cabrillo and Webster.