School District’s ‘Choice for Greed’

Our future depends upon the education and nurturing of our children. The Alhambra Board of Education chooses to put administrators’ and teachers’ economic interests before the creative, developmental and educational needs of our youth. In so doing, they are making a choice for greed rather than for nurturing and uplifting our society.

Nov. 20, approximately 500 parents, teachers, and community members, along with a hired consultant, presented the board with proposals and appeals (Times, Nov. 22). Parker Williams, the board president, stated that the board would work together to find a mutual solution with a task force composed of parents, teachers, administrators, and board members. The board has since denied that they agreed to do this. They say that they need to discuss the matter. During the Dec. 4 board meeting, the board stated that they have not made a decision in this regard. Why do you suppose that this is the case? Could it be that they are afraid to talk to concerned individuals, or are they embarrassed because they have no intention of even considering seeking an alternative solution? It would appear that the board is unresponsive to the community voice and to the needs of our children.

We applaud the efforts of Dora Padilla, board member, who has proposed that music and art be electives in the seventh- and eighth-grade curriculum.

We implore teachers to defer pay raises until this budget crunch has passed. When funds are available, teachers will receive their raises, but the music and art programs will be gone, not only in the elementary level, but high school as well.

Let’s give kids a chance; greed has seen its day.

RENEE HAI

Alhambra