Assessment Districts

Your editorial, “After the Storm, Schools Remain Needy” (Aug. 14) cannot go unchallenged. The writer apparently is completely in the dark as to the real issues involved. The merits or demerits of upgrading athletic facilities were never a consideration of the protests generated against the special assessment districts. The true issues were the illegal application of the 1972 landscaping and lighting act and the inability of voters to cast a vote.

As one deeply involved with the protest movement in the Escondido Union High School District, I resent the inference that this was a disagreement by “empty nesters or childless adults” and parties not wishing to support public education.

I do not want a mediocre school system. However, when there are insufficient funds to support the entire school program, something has to go. The athletic programs contribute the least to the quality and surely should suffer the impact first.

In my opinion, the school administrators are more concerned whether a pupil can shoot baskets, play soccer and be a draft choice for one of the professional teams than the ability to read, write, spell and do the simplest of mathematics.

If the administrators could convince the public that their tax dollars were being prudently expended, bond issues would be received in good faith by the public. Until that happens, bond issues will continue to go down to defeat.

DOUGLAS R. HARRISON, Escondido