Supports Measure J
Editor,
Mr. Hardin is confused. He says he’s for teachers and kids yet he opposes Measure J? He complains that PUSD doesn’t support athletics in one breath and then he wants to keep them from getting more money to support athletics and other things that will help our kids and grandkids be competitive in this technology driven information age.
Other than mandated school lunch programs and state textbook adoption that are forced on districts, there is no “lavish spending” or “fat” at the schools I’ve seen. Many students sit in the same desks I sat in almost 50 years ago. Much of the furniture that isn’t falling apart is mismatched in size, type, and color. Teachers have huge classes. Many computers are too slow to run current software and there aren’t enough of them. Custodial services and classroom aides were cut many years ago. Salaries haven’t come close to keeping up with the cost of living and employees are paying much more for health care.
PUSD tried to cut a lot of “fat” by offering to merge with the small districts in the area that feed PUSD high schools. Such action would save a lot in administrative and logistic costs.
When Mr. Hardin mentions “slush funds” I think of billionaires avoiding taxes in offshore accounts and small businesses stashing their cash under their mattresses to send their kids to college or to buy their favorite luxury car. If selfish unethical cheaters like these would care about their country by paying their taxes we might not have to pay for quality schools with local bonds.
This bond won’t be a PUSD “slush fund” but will make our community a more desirable place for businesses to locate and families to raise their kids. We might also produce more well-educated thinkers who can create and effectively compete in quickly evolving world markets.
I’ll be gladly paying $45 per $100,000 to support our local schools and our country’s future. Democracy is fragile and quality public education is its cornerstone. It’s obvious that Mr. Hardin has a festering grudge with someone at PUSD. He shouldn’t be taking it out on our kids and grandkids. We the people should vote “yes” on Measure J.
Jon Innis
Springville
