Paraphrasing Alphaville’s hit “Forever Young”, Redondo Beach Unified Superintendent Steven
Keller remarked about his district’s looming budget concerns: “We always plan
for the worst and hope for the best.” Our
youth should not be stuck with the “forever” budget shortfalls of public
education. Our youth are like diamonds in the sun, but they cannot wait forever.
Voters in the South Bay will praise their leaders when they get in tune with cost-cutting
reforms in public education.
Instead of floating bond
measures and soaking taxpayers, school districts should drastically reduce
overhead. Eliminate unnecessary administrative staff in public education.
School districts with one high school and two middle schools do not need three
assistant superintendents. Instead of large bureaucracies, dedicate more money
to the classroom.
Replace school boards
with a board of trustees. Instead of politicians’ positioning with abstract
proposals, parents, teachers, and community leaders can implement curriculum
and instruction in the best interests of the students. They can invest the time
and energy in designing policy and evaluate its effectiveness.
Entitlement reform must
be enacted. School districts disburse the majority of their depleting funds to
off-setting pension obligations. Teachers’ unions must embrace reform or forfeit
their collective bargaining rights. Merit pay for exceptional teaching, along
with flexible contracts will permit districts to evaluate teachers and dismiss
unqualified staff more efficiently
Above all, student choice through a voucher system would ensure
that districts compete for funds and spend taxpayer dollars effectively.
We have the power to make education better. Never say never!
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