Don't slam California schools

Don't slam schools

Dear Editor

The letter of 11-16-05 slamming California Schools is inaccurate.

I don't know where he lives, but the two school districts I work for in California have HIGH test scores (both score at about 850 out of 1,000), the facilities are clean and safe, and according to the last independent survey I am aware of all of the above is accomplished while California ranks 48th, at the bottom, of per pupil spending.

I have no doubt there are schools in California and Nebraska in a shabby condition -- it is difficult to maintain them when your per pupil spending is 48th out of the 50 states.

Additionally, it is difficult to teach students who come from a home where neither parent speaks English and there is a good chance Mom and Dad are both working two jobs just to keep a roof over their family's head and food on the table.

I will agree the name of the combined elementary school in McCook is of little importance in the education of the students and that is the priority.

However, slamming the underfunded schools in another state shows little knowledge of the real world education faces all over the country today.

Sincerely

Michael L. Sahm

via e-mail