Grammar Patrol and Thoughts on Measure S

May 30, 2003

Dear Editor,

The staff at Grammar 'R' Us also noted SMMUSD Superintendent John Deasy's use of "less" when it should have been "fewer." ("Shameful Tripe, Grammar Lesson and S Lets off 'Sinfully Rich,'" May 30)

Unlike Ward Major of Malibu, we agreed to cut Dr. Deasy some slack, as the man is working 18-hour days to run the district and explain to the voters of Santa Monica and Malibu the urgent need to pass Measure S.

We shudder to think of the nose-dive students' grammar will take if teachers are laid off and class sizes are dramatically increased -- which will happen if Measure S fails to win two-thirds of the vote Tuesday. English teachers will have either less time or fewer minutes to correct each paper.

We must point out that Mr. Major's letter does not set the good example he demands. A missing comma in paragraph 4, line 2, forces one to read the sentence twice, and the split infinitive in paragraph 6, line 4, is unnecessary and awkward.

Jean Sedillos
Grammar 'R' Us

May 30, 2003

Dear Editor,

To those of you who are interested in making sure that your children get a "good" education, I suggest that you take more responsibility and help your children directly.

Throwing more money at a broken system is not going to mend it although it may alleviate your guilt.

Susan Davidson

May 29, 2003

Dear Editor,

We live in Santa Monica because of the schools and the community that exists surrounding these schools. My kids play with friends from both public and private schools, and we all agree that this neighborhood exists because of our shared values, regardless of which schools our
kids attend.

There is no question that strong schools build strong and safe communities. And there is no question, sadly, that the state of California (not to mention the federal government) has abandoned us.

Measure S (along with pleas to the City Councils of Malibu and Santa Monica) is our only hope to restore part of the funding that our kids depend on.

It is ASTOUNDING to me that the negative signs have the nerve to say that this funding measure will "hurt the poor." Since when has a good public education ever hurt anyone? The wealthy can always escape to private schools; we need to protect the futures of everyone in our community.

Sincerely,

Paula Goldman
Santa Monica

May 29, 2003

Dear Editor,

Now that the Congress and administration have "given" us a federal tax cut, we have every reason to approve Proposition S.

Not only will the tax cut additionally deprive our schools of federal support, but we now will have the funds in our own budgets to ensure that our schools get the money they need.

I'm looking forward to that Air Force bake sale. Meanwhile, I'm voting "yes" on Proposition S.

Abby Arnold

May 29, 2003

Dear Editor,

Is the word "literacy" merely a slogan? The SMMUSD has pink-slipped the district's ten elementary library coordinators and five secondary library assistants.

School libraries improve student achievement. If we pass Measure S, the libraries and literacy will have a chance. Our school libraries desperately need the support of our library assistants and coordinators. They keep the computers running, process books, interact with students and teachers, and use the Dynix circulation and catalog system.

At both elementary and secondary schools, these employees lead students to databases and other sources of information; they help students find books; and they serve as technicians for the online catalog, electronic research tools, and other computer programs.

At Samohi, for example, approximately 800 students a day visit the library. The library's 30 computers are constantly in use. Imagine the maintenance these machines require on an hourly basis! Our school libraries serve ALL our students. Without library staffs, how can we
expect literacy to flourish?