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Message From a Man Who Knows About Teachers to a Man Who Does Not

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http://www.thefrontpageonline.com/new/articles1-8636/CmonTeachersItIsYourTurntoCooperate

Regarding a letter Jay Handal wrote last week in support of making teachers’ ratings public:

Dear Mr. Jay Handal:

I met you some years ago at your San Gennaro restaurant in Culver City. We crossed paths several times and had several conversation. I have long since forgotten the subjects. If you see me, you would be able to place a face with a name.

http://www.thefrontpageonline.com/new/articles1-6363/GettingAcquaintedWithaNewContenderfortheSchoolBoard

As with so many other misinformed Culver City residents, your wrath is misplaced. Look, I am the last person to call any one unintelligent (stupid). I have been labeled as unsophisticated (code word for undereducated). I wear that distinction proudly. It just means I’m different, shall we say, from all those “over-educated fools.”

Unless you have worked in the classroom under any capacity, you have no idea what the educators are faced with. The problem is not with the teachers. It is the system that is flawed.

http://www.thefrontpageonline.com/new/articles1-6576/TheRealTrenchesAreintheClassroomWhereCutsAffectStudentsandLearning

The elected/selected politicians are the culprits. Let’s just deal with Culver City politicians, the City Council dba the Redevelopment Agency, and the School Board. Not unlike most other city politicians fueled by Ignorance and Greed, except they add Stupidity to the mix.

http://www.thefrontpageonline.com/new/articles1-8507/ASlightlySkepticalPerspectiveontheCommunity

The basic principles of capitalism are out the window with public education. Public education is designed to fail. Like anything that requires huge sums of money to function, it is a temptation for corruption.

http://www.thefrontpageonline.com/new/articles1-6734/PublicSchoolsAreTheyaFarmSystemforUSPrisons

Here is where the illogic comes in. Hang in there. It will come to you.

If a business has a low rating, is it because the owner thinks that his business will get successful? Not likely, unless the owner is an “idiot.” Ninety-nine percent of the time it is because the business is in financial trouble or has been underfunded from the start.

Take Linwood E. Howe, a Title 1 school. (No, not like a number one.) In 2008, it was named a Title I High Achieving School.

According to the California Dept. of Education, Linwood Howe has an Academic Performance Index score of 797 out of 1,000, down seven points from the 2008-09 academic year.

In 2010, Linwood E. Howe made the list of the 1,000 Worst Schools in California.

The School Board’s responses:

“Ludicrous,” says attorney Kathy Paspalis.

“We're on the list because of LAUSD,” said attorney Scott Zeidman.

Did someone mention lawyer fees, anonymously?

Five Title 1 schools are in the Culver City District:

Three out of the five elementary schools, El Rincon, La Ballona and Linwood Howe, the only Middle School and Culver Park Continuation School (for students 16 years and older who are at risk of not graduating).

The Middle School’s music program was cut by 50 percent, which was “devastating,” according to School Board member Karlo Silbiger. “In my mind this is No. 1 in terms of tough cuts,” he said.

Middle School students no longer will be able to take summer school,

Title 1 schools serve a disproportionate number of students from low-income families. At least 75 percent of students must qualify for free or reduced meals from the state.

The Culver City School District is in financial trouble along with the rest of the country.

In case you are not unlike most of the Culver City residents, funding for public school education in California is the lowest in the nation. Funding for education in the U.S. is the lowest in the Western World.

I hate to burst your bubble about the educational system in Culver City. Shall I say, do not insult the Third World.

Culver City politics lacks in leadership, direction and vision.

Why not rate the politicians responsible for funding the public schools? Hey, not a bad idea. Thanks. Think I will do that.

Profile on the Culver City Board members and what are they really saying and doing is coming soon.

Are you expecting champagne for beer money.

Mr. Abrams may be contacted at gabrams@ca.rr.com