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| Palo
Alto Weekly Online Edition |
Publication
Date: Friday, May 02, 2003
Streetwise
If
you were in charge of the school budget, what would you cut
and what would be completely off limits?
Question
and interviews by Martin Nobida.
Photographs by Kainaz Amaria. Asked at various elementary schools in Palo Alto.
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Bill
Sundstrom
College professor
Lewis Street, Palo Alto
I would
probably favor a proportionate, across-the-board reduction, rather
than eliminating any entire program. |
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Shawn
Felsch
Pre-school teacher
Ross Road, Palo Alto
It's a really difficult question, especially when you want so much for your child.
But if I had to, I would cut from administration, because it's not as tangible
to the kids. Just keep the cuts out of the classrooms and make sure the teachers
are paid well. |
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Asha
Bucklin
Student
Corina Way, Palo Alto
I like music, but we may not really need it. I wouldn't
cut PE. |
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Hazel
Watson
Parent
Kipling Street, Palo Alto
I wouldn't cut math. If you cut math, the children wouldn't be able to work out
what the budget is. |
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Chris
Easton
Teacher
Marion Avenue, Palo Alto Weekly
Cuts should be as far from the class as possible. Many
districts seem to be top-heavy administratively. Eliminating
class-size reductions would be a big mistake for education. |
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Mary
Ann Norton
Substitute teacher
Ross Road, Palo Alto
Maybe class size should be increased so that at least
the students could still be exposed to as much as possible. I
would hate to see maintenance slack off, because it's important
that the environment is clean and looks good for the students. |
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Doug
Meek
Student attendant
Oakland Avenue, Oakland
If one thing had to be cut, I'd put it on offsite administration |
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John
Skinner
Expeditor
Varian Way, Palo Alto
I wouldn't take away a dollar. I'm very angry that education
once again has become the whipping boy of inept politicians. |
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Editor's
note:
This is part of the final installment in a four-part series on how the
school budget crisis is affecting various segments of the community.
As the biggest fiscal fiasco to hit education rocks schools across the
state, the Palo Alto Unified School District and the surrounding community
battle a state property-tax grab and formulate massive reductions to
the district's 2003-2004 budget.
At a study session April 29, the district will reveal its plans to reduce
the budget by more than $4 million for the 2003-2004 to address anticipated
state cuts and a shortfall in revenue.
In the meantime, it is fighting to hold onto more than $23.1 million
in property tax funding that Gov. Gray Davis threatens to take away.
First
installment
Second
installment
Third
installment
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