MorganHillTimes.com | Letters: County Board of Education is out of touch with voters

OPINION > LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Letters: County Board of Education is out of touch with voters

May 2, 2008
By The Community

County Board of Education is out of touch with voters
Dear Editor,

I read with interest about the hiring of a new (Santa Clara County school) superintendent at a base salary of $285,000 plus benefits. Those benefits include full health and welfare benefits plus $1,823 in "uncovered" medical costs, an expense account, $1,000 per month car allowance plus a credit card for any expenses above that amount, $20,000 deferred compensation and $15,000 relocation allowance. That brings his first year salary and benefits to well over $333,823. Very generous but that's not the big problem.

This housing loan of $1 million with the first $500,000 interest free and the other $500,000 at 3 percent interest is the problem.

Has the County Board of Education lost their minds? In a time when I know of several teachers and countless others that are losing their homes to foreclosure because of these tough economic times, the board has the audacity to loan $1 million to a new employee that they just gave a salary and benefit package worth well over $333,000. With that compensation package let him buy his own home, he can more than afford it! This action is so far out of touch with reality that I am at a loss for words. And elected officials wonder why taxpayers are so fed up. The board needs to keep this in mind the next time taxpayers say no to any proposed tax increase or bond issue. The actions of this board show they are not good stewards of the moneys we have entrusted them. I urge the board to reconsider its actions and rescind this loan offer.
Art Gillespie, Gilroy

The least we could do is protect the National Parks Service and its resources
Dear Editor,

Seems Congress is still diverting funds of about $100 million over the past 40 years from the National parks Service. In some cases, private citizens have bought some of this land, kept it and then sold it back to the park system at a profit. The least we can do is protect it.
Robert J. Gilan Jr., Hollister

Save the honors classes
Dear Editor,

I have a problem with the suggestion that we simplify classes by eliminating the option for students to take honors classes because the honors classes, with their rigorous academics, are necessary precursors for the advanced placement classes.

These classes are available in English, French, and Spanish only, because they are essential for the complete preparation of students , who prepare for three to four years for the advanced placement examinations.

The elevated grade helps to establish who the students are who are taking the demanding classes. The ELC (Eligibility in Local Contest) is determined by this score. If you are in the top 4 percent of your class you are guaranteed a place in the U.C. system.

All AP class instructors submit syllabi to AP Central to be audited by college/university instructors to be validated by them. This is a process that is nationwide. No approval, no AP status.

By paying $84, taking and passing an AP exam, the student can obtain college credit, thereby saving, potentially thousands of dollars. This is a bargain. Why would we jeopardize their successes by eliminating honors classes? Our students have risen to this challenge for years and have proven the efficacy of the program. Let's try to have more of our students challenge themselves and step up to the challenge of the honors and subsequent AP course work.
Valerie Sacks, French teacher
Live Oak High School

Islam can't fit into our Judeo/Christian-based society
Dear Editor,

In response to the Morgan Hill Times April 25 "Religion Today" column titled "Read the Quran and find out for yourself," I'll agree that people should be able to have a house of worship and practice their religion within the laws of our land. That said, I don't need to read the Quran to form an opinion on the religious or political views of Islam, which more often than not, seem to go hand in hand. I believe that actions speak louder than words, so when anyone can look at current event articles and see all of the conflicts involving Muslims against western culture, it's hard to figure how Islam could fit into our Judeo/Christian-based society, even if it is "a religion of peace." I'm not saying that they're wrong and we're right, just that some things don't go well together like burquas and high heels or Sharia Law and our current justice system. If anyone is in doubt, ask someone from Europe, particularly England, France or the Netherlands how well Islam is meshing with their native cultures. I'm confident that anyone who studies the Quran will find that literally speaking, the words of Muhammad and Islam leave little room if any, to tolerate Western culture or we infidels that enjoy life here as we've known it.
David Shoop, Gilroy

The Community
Got a question or a comment? Send us an email.