Re “Bulletin: Adjuncts War Is Over. El Marino Wins.”
After reading your assessment yesterday of the ruling of the El Marino adjuncts issue, I'm afraid you have missed the point.
Yes, there is reason to feel good about the freedom that El Marino parents and adjuncts have retained in their fight for what is best for the children. However, the muted celebration is what it is because not one of El Marino's sister-schools can share the same rights that they enjoy.
Because of a technicality, El Marino gets to have a freedom that none of CCUSD's schools gets to have. Parents at CCUSD's other schools cannot directly hire, manage and pay contracted employees at their own wages to help support the District's threadbare staff; a staff that does a fantastic job, by the way.
I have nothing but praise for every teacher, aide, adjunct, front office staff member and administrator my children have been fortunate to encounter and learn from.
Believe me when I say that parents do not want to be in the business of providing staffing for schools. I remember a day when I used to read a book, watch TV shows, or just sit around and relax. Raising money for our schools is difficult, time-consuming work. We would rather let the schools do their job. However, trying times have created a need that must be filled if we are to be satisfied with our public schools: Our schools need more adults in the classroom; in the library; in the science lab; and on the playground. California public schools cannot afford to staff the necessary workforce to adequately serve our kids. Heck, Teachers Union President David Mielke believes that our current staff isn't paid enough as it is. How can we hire more teachers when the rank-and-file feel they are underpaid?
Yes, El Marino parents retaining rights that should be indisputable is a victory of sorts. However, forgive us for not celebrating because I think most of us believe that every parent in our School District should be allowed the same rights. It has worked at El Marino for well over 20 years. The results are indisputable. Let's allow our other schools play with the same rules.
Mr. O'Brien, parent of a Culver City Middle School 6th grader and El Marino 4th grader, may be contacted at beverlyanddan@aol.com
Ari Noonan comments: Wish I had said that.
