GAY GEISER-SANDOVAL -- Educationally speaking

Have you gotten enough mail about Measure F? I have. What I’m concerned

about is that Measure F takes away majority rule. If you read last week’s

column, you will remember that is what I like about Proposition 26. It

gives back the decision-making to the majority.

Now, here comes Measure F to try to take that decision-making power away.

Measure F would require a vote of the populous to approve any new design

or construction of a jail with 1,000 beds or more, a civilian airport, or

a hazardous waste landfill.

However, they can’t be built without two-thirds of the voters saying yes.

That means one third of the voters, (which right away cuts out people who

don’t exercise that constitutional right), would make the decision for

all of us. So, it only takes a few people to block any project.

I know that when passions run high, we take to tinkering with our

democratic process. But do you recall the founding fathers saying

anything about “Minority rules!” I don’t. It makes more sense to me to

require that two-thirds of the voters need to pass laws that give

one-third of the voters the right to make the decisions thereafter. How

come it only takes a majority to pass this law? If you think that the

majority should rule, then vote no on Measure F.

***

Let’s talk about what is really important -- school bathrooms. We

aren’t the only district with bathroom issues. The Los Angeles school

district has hired full-time bathroom cleaners and started a bathroom

hotline. The problem is that many of the bathroom problems are caused by

kids that mess up or destroy the school bathrooms.

I have been warned to steer clear of this issue, which causes many kids

more anguish than class curriculum. But, here are a couple of my

suggestions. Even if the facilities bond passes, the bathrooms won’t be

modernized for a while.

1. Some toilets and sinks flood or leak, leaving the floor wet. In order

to avoid wet pants and shoes, how about converting some of those wooden

palettes into platforms for the bathroom floors. We could keep a lot of

wood shop students busy.

2. Why not make kids who are tardy clean the bathrooms for 15 minutes?

This might make getting to school on time more of a priority. It would

certainly keep the bathrooms cleaner throughout the day.

3. How about having a bathroom decorating design contest? Total cost for

each bathroom would have to be $75 or less. But, with some paint and a

theme, each bathroom could have its own flair. Then, have a Saturday

where the kids do the decorating. Maybe kids wouldn’t trash or flame a

“Flower Power” or “Pokemon” bathroom.

4. Have door locks that work, mirrors that are childproof, and adequate

supplies of toilet paper and towels.

5. Give training on how to flush the toilet, and make reminder signs.

***

The Newport Beach Library Foundation has asked me to moderate its lecture

March 14 by Maureen Stout, PhD. Stout will speak at 7 p.m. about her

book, “The Feel-Good Curriculum: the dumbing down of America’s kids in

the name of self-esteem.”

She has a lot to say about how we give kids praise at school that they

don’t deserve. I just finished reading “Angela’s Ashes.” I’m glad that

teachers in our district aren’t using those methods. I also read the

“Freedom Writer’s Diary,” which gives you a perspective from the kid’s

point of view.

Come join us for a lively discussion by making reservations by e-mail at

tkeys@city.newport-beach.ca.us or call (949) 717-3890.

* GAY GEISER-SANDOVAL is a Costa Mesa resident. Her column runs Tuesdays.

She can be reached by e-mail at GGSesq@aol.com.