BusinessReport.com

School daze

To the publisher:

Thanks for your “no” support of the upcoming EBR School Board tax election [“Publisher’s View,” Feb. 26]. They have not spent the money as proposed in the original plan.

A new Central Middle School was supposed to have been built and completed by spring 2007, according to their original plans under this tax election. They had that on their construction plan list on their Web site. However, the EBR School System did not follow through on this and diverted the funds to build a new Woodlawn Middle School instead, and then denied ever having plans for a Central Middle School on their Web site.

The people of Central supported this original tax when it was first supposed several years ago because they knew they would be getting a new middle school. Anything that they promise to do in this new tax election cannot be trusted. They can change their mind as they please once they have the money.

David Barrow, Central

To the publisher:

As Mr. McCollister states, our children do deserve better, but instead of “casting stones” at EBR as I must admit I have done in the past, perhaps it is the community that have failed our children—and not our school system.

The majority of the children left in EBR are black, many coming from impoverished families and/or single parent households. Has the community truly stepped up to the plate and tried to help these children with mentoring programs, etc. so the children could at least have a better chance at educational success? It’s difficult for a child who comes to school hungry or tired from having to help run a household to function effectively in a classroom. Have we, as a community, truly reached out to these children? The schools have their flaws to be sure, but they cannot be expected to effectively educate children who come with so many existing burdens.

Perhaps by passing the tax renewal and using part of the funds to create community centers that could work in partnership with the schools to help ease the burden of these children we could turn our school system into one we can all be proud of, and feel a part of.

Stephanie Triche, Baton Rouge

To the publisher:

I am very surprised that I disagree with you on this issue, a first for me.

While you are correct in your assertions about the East Baton Rouge Parish School system, its need for stark change and its lazy performance, your call to oppose the tax is myopic at best. It is ludicrous to punish the teachers, especially since many have worked very hard, sacrificing their personal and family lives, to improve the situation. Voting down the school tax will take money out of teachers pay. If you want real change, take the money from the “politicians” who make policy.

Not since I.P. Collier was the president of the school board in the 1960s has there been true leadership in EBR schools. It takes Mr. Collier’s type of integrity to change things. As a product of EBR school system, I can attest to the less than stellar conditions teachers are faced with; students and their parents are as much to blame as anyone.

The last thing you want to do is punish those whom you depend on most. Please reconsider your position.

Pearce Cinman, Baton Rouge

To the publisher:

I think the school system is in deplorable shape. My wife and I both work so we can make enough to pay for private school; we have three kids.

I will not send my kids to the illiterate, unsafe, indifferent atmosphere of the EBR public school system.

Justin Collett, Baton Rouge

To the publisher:

I can surmise from your opposition that your children do not attend public schools. Or they have graduated and do not attend any schools.

I am always amazed at the approach that the way to fix public schools is to deny adequate funding, while withdrawing non financial support as well.

You might be surprised at how much better our schools could be with our children in them and the public working to ensure that events like PTA meetings are standing room only.

James L. Horton Jr., Baton Rouge

To the publisher:

The backbone of any community is the education of all of its citizens. If we do not fund public education, we will continue to have too many in our city and state that fall below the poverty line because they are uneducated in the basics. We need to support public education but not vote for a 10-year tax. We need to keep tight control over the administration as to how the funds are spent. Demanding a full accounting to the taxpayer every five years is our only safeguard. Private schools will never be the answer as long as they get to select only students who will never require special services and exclude these students whenever they have a problem. The cost people pay for private education is beyond what the average worker will ever be able to afford.

As a property owner, I resent having nonproperty owners decide that I must pay taxes for services they will use but not ever pay a penny for. I’m not for a poll tax, but for the right of the property owners to make the decision as to what they should be taxed for and for the amount of taxes they should pay.

Shirley Newsham, Baton Rouge

To the publisher:

I am totally dumbfounded at your gross oversimplification of a problem that is so highly complex. Did you ever stop to think that perhaps the wholesale abandonment of the system by the religiously confused and somewhat racist white middle class contributed to some of the system’s failure? Don’t you think we have an obligation to support our public school system? If we abandon the marginal members of our society, anarchy will ensue. A strong public school system is the cornerstone of democracy.

We must work together to improve the system we have. We must support our teachers who labor in anonymity on a daily basis trying to educate the intellectually abandoned children—children with neglected home lives who are basically raising themselves.

Please reconsider your “no” vote. Vote with your heart and your mind. Vote yes for our teachers. Vote yes for our children.

Kevin J. Mercil, Baton Rouge

To the publisher:

Economic development is predicated on an educated work force.

Does Rolfe believe that the Dunham School and its ilk is going to educate everyone in town? No? Well, what system does he suppose will do that? Seventy-eight million dollars is not a surplus; it’s a drop in the bucket for what our public schools need and deserve to effect improvements.

Community leaders should support public education, not damn it. We should have done this all these years.

Mary Ann Sternberg, Baton Rouge

Whine and dine

To the editor:

I frankly can’t afford Ruth’s Chris, but at the few times I have gone there mostly our reps and the lobby crowd fill the place. Comments on the part of [Rep. Charmaine Marchand] were so sad, and to think she is representing folks [“Random Thoughts,” Feb. 26]. Glad she does not represent me.

Don Bell, Baton Rouge

To the editor:

Thank you for recognizing that a person can eat for an amount less than $50 at Juban’s Restaurant! As a former president of the Louisiana Restaurant Association, I can tell you that there are a lot of restaurants that can satisfy this requirement.

Miriam Juban, Baton Rouge

To the editor:

Do not let this woman pressure you. You did the right thing in giving her this award. You would think they all [legislators] would have gotten the message by now, but this just goes to show you they haven’t.

Claire C. Bahlinger, Baton Rouge

Not Wayne’s world

To the publisher:

It’s time the citizens of EBR realize that we need to rid our system of these cancer-causing politicians that are trying to kill any progress the city is making [Daily Report, Feb. 28]. Good riddance to Mr. Glasper and hopefully good riddance to Mr. Carter.

Les Gatz, Baton Rouge

To the publisher:

Councilman Wayne Carter is just another example of a politician who is an embarrassment to this council, this community and to our state as a whole. He is a grandstander who often uses his opportunity to speak to publicly humiliate citizens of this community all the while knowing full well that whomever is caught in his sight has little public opportunity to rebut or defend themselves.

Thank you for showing Councilman Carter to be the low character person that he truly is. One final word, it is blatantly obvious from this observer that Carter constantly uses his position on the Metro Council not for the betterment of our parish, but rather for political grandstanding. It is further obvious to even the most casual observer that he is always politicking for another office.

Murray McCullough, Baton Rouge

To the publisher:

Someone finally called out a politician for doing nothing. If you provided him 18 inches in your Letters section, or one-eighth of an inch for that matter, he couldn’t explain the utter ineptitude he’s displayed during his time with BREC. Not making a single meeting—save, of course, for the one where his hide was on the line? No wonder he attacked you instead of defending himself. There’s no defense for those entrusted with the public trust who are there simply for the buffet at the public trough.

Don’t go away angry, Mr. Carter. Just go away. This area has no need for your kind in positions of authority.

Gary M. O’Neal Jr., Denham Springs

To the publisher:

Wayne Carter is a tirade just waiting to happen and a disgrace for the council. A qualified public official keeps his emotions under control. With whatever public influence you have, keep the pressure on him.

Buck Bailey, Baton Rouge

To the publisher:

I, for one, have had enough of Wayne Carter and his pompous grandstanding. It’s going to be refreshing having some new faces on the Metro Council real soon.

Chris Johnson, Baton Rouge