Deukmejian and Education Funds

I recognize that many agencies are making Gov. Deukmejian aware of their need for more money. My appeal here is based upon taxpayer equity in the Los Angeles Community Colleges.

As a trustee, I have the responsibility to maintain buildings that are on a replacement basis, which would cost the taxpayers $352 million. The total amount available in my budget for maintenance is approximately $100,000. Any prudent director of a corporation would acknowledge that 1% of value would be a bare minimum to allocate for deferred maintenance. Therefore, I am a little more than $3 million short in maintaining those buildings.

My next dilemma is one related to people. Inside these buildings is approximately $92 million worth of equipment. This equipment is essential to maintain the educational program within the Los Angeles Community College District. In order to protect the equity in this equipment, as well as protect those students who use this equipment, we employ campus police. It is extremely distressing for many to be entrusted with the protection of people and equipment to find that our top salary scale for such campus police is $100 above the starting salary of a security guard at the University of Southern California.

I know the governor shares my concerns educationally, intellectually, and financially. I want to maintain that which is ours. Give me a chance. Give me the funding that I need to protect our interest in colleges.

MONROE F. RICHMAN

Los Angeles

Richman is a member of the board of trustees of Los Angeles Community Colleges.