Keep LAUSD Out of Well-Run Parent Centers

* I thought the article by Beth Shuster, “Unwelcome Support for Parent Centers” (Aug. 24), was well-written and told the LAUSD what they need to hear--if they will listen. There already exists on LAUSD campuses help for people who know how to use the system. What the Parent Centers offer is a non-threatening way to introduce to the campus parents who might otherwise be intimidated by the system. Once they feel comfortable on the campus, they can avail themselves of the resources the school has to offer. If necessary, parent leaders can shepherd them through the system.

What is not needed is another layer of LAUSD bureaucracy, no matter how well meaning, to intimidate parents who are making their first steps toward relating to a system that in most cases is overwhelming. If the LAUSD wants to get involved with parents, it should support things like the PTA, which is for parents who want to get involved by interacting with teachers and the school administration.

The Parent Centers fulfill a different purpose--namely providing a buffer or sometimes an acting as an ombudsman between parents and the school. Making it an LAUSD-run program defeats its whole purpose.

DAN STEWART

Sherman Oaks