MAILBAG - March 15, 2007

Happy to see mayor exposed for what he is

Steve Smith hit it squarely on the head with his assessment of Mayor Allan Mansoor and the very sorry excuse he presents as mayor of Costa Mesa, (“Political flub, leadership flaw,” March 14).

I haven’t commented on his ineptness (and that of the council as a whole) because I’m not a Costa Mesa resident, but it’s high time this flake be exposed for the true jerk he is.

Don’t stop now. There is much more grist coming for your mill.

JANE LOWRY

Newport Beach

Shades of ‘separate but equal’ in decision

I enjoyed reading Steve Smith’s column (“Political flub, leadership flaw,” March 14). I found it to have much truth.

I would also like to mention my concerns with another article in Wednesday’s Pilot (“Vote: Choice on 4th-grade sites”) regarding legislation that will allow “certain” parents to chose the schools their children attend.

My concern is that choosing schools will lead to further segregated schools.

I believe this for two reasons: More money will be allocated to schools for economic reasons, therefore parents that will be able to “choose” will send their kids to schools accordingly. The second reason is that parents supporting the mayor’s plot to “bleach” Costa Mesa would also support school segregation.

This article reminded me of the “separate but equal” century our country faced and the fix we’ve been trying to make on segregation.

Finally, I would like to add that I am a resident of Costa Mesa, an Orange Coast College student and a member of California Student Public Interest Research Group on campus. I’m politically active and I would like to take action on these events that are taking place in our community.

NICHOLAS CALDERON

Costa Mesa

District board displays disregard for teachers

It was made loud and clear that teachers are considered disposable in the Newport-Mesa Unified School District (“Vote: Choice on 4th-grade sites,” March 14), and that their jobs are unsecured in their current locations and that no one cares about the kids.

Did school board member Martha Fluor even think about this? Let’s just say that we give parents the option for fourth grade at the home school or at Davis Elementary School.

Let’s consider this scenario: Jane and Sue are best friends from kindergarten through third-grade. Jane’s mom wants to send her to Davis because that’s where her siblings have gone and she thinks it’s a good school. Sue is the oldest in her family, and her mom and dad want to keep her at the other school for fourth grade.

So, now they are separated, which is what Fluor’s main objection was, right? Keeping kids friends forever?

Let’s also assume that enrollment fluctuates at the home school year to year for that fourth grade. So one year we have three classes of fourth-graders but the next it may only be two. Who gets fired? Then the following year enrollment goes back up and we need five classes so we have to spend the money to hire teachers. If I’m correct, I heard that it costs $10,000 to hire a teacher.

Does this make sense? Doesn’t that speak volumes in how we treat our teachers in this district?

I’m ashamed of the school board members right now and ashamed to be associated with this school district.

How awful it must be to be a teacher in our district today — to know that our school board thinks so little of them that not only do they not deserve a well-earned raise, but also measly salaries and to be told in no uncertain terms that they may or may not have a job next year depending on the whimsy of some parents. Tsk, tsk.

I am extremely disappointed in the school board and the lack of foresight and leadership that was displayed Tuesday night. Making decisions based on emotions and politics is never a good idea.

Making an amendment to an amendment? What the heck? Where is the public input on these new amendments and recommendations? Is this all legal?

I’m thinking you may have a lawsuit on your hands if you don’t clean this mess up pretty darn quick. I also think that you’ll be lucky if the teachers don’t go on strike. Who would blame them?

I think it’s time to re-poll the parents since we have all this information available to us that we didn’t have before when the first poll was taken, for example the costs and options.

Let the parents and community make a more informed, educated decision and one not based on emotions.

Let’s do this the right way.

MICHELLE FULKERSON

Costa Mesa