Deukmejian and Education Funds

Assemblyman Leonard seems to have forgotten, or chosen to ignore, the significant contribution of classified employees (non-teaching employees) to California’s schools. Without these dedicated individuals teachers and students would both suffer through substandard facilities, unsafe environments, and inadequate instruction. Education cannot function without classified employees.

I have worked in education for five years, and the loudest complaint of teachers is the need for more, not fewer, classroom aides. Remove the secretary from any school office, and you will have a clerical disaster. And who will feed the students, and tend to injuries without cafeteria workers and health clerks. Not to mention maintenance of school buildings and grounds. All these task are performed by classified employees, who take great pride in their work, and know that what they do is important to the education of our youth.

Yes, there is a need to improve working conditions for teachers, and all educational employees. There is, in many school districts, a need for more classrooms. This will not be accomplished by putting thousands of classified employees on the unemployment rolls.

RANDY BAYNE

Pomona