Move to place school bond before voters
Regarding “Schools bond to be on ballot this fall” (Our Region, July 24):
So let me get this straight: The San Diego Unified School District is plagued with overcrowded campuses with aging portable classrooms and, alternatively, near-empty campuses even at sites that received millions of dollars from Proposition MM. Now the trustees and district staff want voters to foot a $2.1 billion bond measure?
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Perhaps the district would better spend its time thinking about how best to use the campuses and resources it does have before asking taxpayers for more money. Even better, how about district staff preparing a detailed, comprehensive accounting of how Proposition MM funds were spent. It's imperative for voters to see what was promised versus what was done. We also need reassurance that the district has a plan for deferred maintenance and upkeep of improvements.
KATRINA FOAT
San Diego
Put new City Hall issue on ballot
Regarding “Competing visions vie for City Hall” (Our Region, July 24):
Before we waste any more time, money and effort on building a new City Hall maybe we need to put it on the ballot in November. That way we could see if the voters/taxpayers would like a new City Hall or have the potholes on their streets fixed. There was no mention how much a new City Hall would cost the taxpayers. I know it would not be free. Time to get our priorities right in this town and move forward wisely for a change.
J.B. McCORMICK
San Diego
Housing bill and personal responsibility
Regarding “House approves mortgage relief” (A1, July 24):
Am I supposed to feel sorry for the millions of Americans who let greed cloud their judgment and got into mortgages over their heads? Or those who didn't understand what they were signing because they didn't do their due diligence?
Am I also supposed to be benevolent toward the millions of SUV purchasers who now have huge white elephants sitting in their driveways for which they owe more than they are worth? Well, I don't. The only thing I do feel sorry about is that those of us who use fiscal prudence in our lives have to share a national economy with all the others. And, once again, we have to bail them out. What ever happened to personal responsibility?
ELLEN BROWN
San Diego
Opposing views of Obama candidacy
Regarding “Cindy McCain and the smell of death” (Opinion, July 23):
Based on columnist Michael Gerson's commentary, clearly Cindy McCain has had more firsthand, on-the-ground experience, with positive results over a longer period of time, than Sen. Barack Obama has even talked about during his career or current campaign.
G. CHARLES BUDENZ II
Escondido
Regarding “A plan to end America's role in Iraq” by Barack Obama (Opinion, July 15):
This should be required reading for anyone who still believes that Obama has no plan to end our occupation of Iraq. Compare that with John McCain's “plan” – continue with the status quo (an open-ended occupation), rejection of any references to a timetable for withdrawal (even though the Iraq government has now stated they would like us to set a timetable) and continue having Congress approve a blank check to fund the war (even though our economy is in a slump). This sounds more like a continuation of just another one of the president's many failed policies.
FRAN WILKINSON
San Diego
No sympathy for teacher in lawsuit
Regarding “Student files suit vs. teacher” (Around Our Region, July 23):
Perhaps San Diego 14-year-old Jade Ray is a “brat.” But a teacher under no condition should humiliate a student, especially in front of her classmates, and call her “ugly” and kick her in the rear. A teacher is a professional and should set an example, not act like an unruly child herself.
As a result, I hope Jade not only wins her lawsuit, but that her choir teacher who humiliated her is never allowed to teach again. There is no place for people like this in the classroom.
KENNETH L. ZIMMERMAN
Huntington Beach
The classroom mandate for learning algebra
Regarding “The algebra mandate/Our expectations for all children” (Opinion, July 23):
Finally, an educator with the courage to recognize that parents are as responsible as teachers and administrators for the progress of their children within the school system. County schools Superintendent Randy Ward wisely cautioned parents to require their child to behave, work hard and be attentive in class.
Children need to come to school rested and ready to learn. What he is asking parents to do doesn't require wealth or wisdom and won't guarantee that they learn algebra but the children will be a success overall. Ideally, every student should be a math wizard but that probably just won't happen.
Perhaps our dropout rate would be much reduced if we looked at secondary education in countries where the educational process is more realistic. Britain's mandatory age for school attendance is age 16. Students then can select university preparation or vocational training. In the “olden days,” students had that option here in the United States. Maybe we should try it again.
GERRIE RYAN
Escondido
The ability to comprehend algebra is a lot like the ability to sing on key – some folks can do it, some folks can't. Thank God neither algebra or the ability to sing on key is necessary for about 95 percent of the population to live happy, productive lives.
BILL BOLAM
La Mesa
“The algebra mandate” addresses controversial issues of student and teacher preparedness in meeting the Algebra I mandate. A noncontroversial issue is how math tutoring can help both students and teachers.
In math, more than any other subject, getting stuck at some point can impede advancing beyond that point. A math tutor can identify a student's sticking point and get him or her past it. The student's expression of “aha!” is very satisfying.
As a retired engineer who tutors math, I highly encourage scientists and engineers (and others who enjoy math) to consider volunteering some time to this. It can really help.
JACK HOLTZMAN
San Diego
