Letters Letters (December 07, 2005)

Oversight reaction

Editor,

Mr. Lieberman’s letter regarding the PAUSD parcel tax oversight committee (Nov. 29) implies that the district misappropriated parcel-tax funds and did not provide the promised public oversight.

I would like to set the record straight.

At a public meeting following the passage of Measure D, the school board appointed a committee of five people, all of whom have accounting, business, or school-budget expertise and are well respected in the community. They represent a broad cross section of the community: a senior, local business owners/leaders, a parent and CPA, a former mayor and a former school board member.

The committee met each year to verify that the parcel-tax funds were spent in accordance with the ballot language approved by the voters. In each of the four years that the parcel tax was in effect, the board of education received a parcel tax report that included the findings of the oversight committee, at a regularly scheduled public board meeting: Aug. 27, 2002; Aug. 26, 2003; Oct. 12, 2004; and Nov. 15, 2005.

The meetings were broadcast on cable television. Board of education meeting materials, including these reports, were also made available on the district Web site at www.pausd.org and at public libraries and schools.

Parcel-tax expenditures may be examined by Mr. Lieberman or any other member of the public; not just the oversight committee. PAUSD is required to keep parcel-tax funds in a separate account that may only be used for expenditures stated in the voter-approved ballot measure.

In addition to public oversight, district books including the parcel-tax account, are audited each year by an outside independent accounting firm. The auditor’s findings are also presented at a public board meeting.

The school board encourages communication from the public on any topic, including the parcel tax. People may call, write, e-mail or speak at public board meetings.
Cathy Kroymann, former school board member and Julie Jerome, oversight committee member
Somerset Place and Greer Road
Palo Alto

Against immersion

Editor,

The time is right for the Palo Alto school district to offer foreign language as part of the core curriculum, not for another immersion program.

The multi-cultural community that is Palo Alto should be at the forefront of preparing our children to be part of a highly connected global world and workforce. The absence of foreign-language teaching from our elementary school program, and from the core curriculum in middle school, falls very short of that goal.

Instead of funding another immersion program, let’s prioritize foreign language for all students. We should adopt a core language curriculum that includes starting in elementary school. Mandarin should be offered in PAUSD, but as one of several languages offered to all students.

Immersion programs generate a small group of parents with much to gain and so can garner disproportionate attention. Core language classes have fewer vocal supporters but are more important than ever.

Language classes? Yes. Mandarin as a choice? Yes. Immersion only? No.
Meri Gruber
Briarwood Way
Palo Alto

Language barrier

Editor,

It's really wonderful that the PAUSD is not in the dire financial straits that it faced a year ago. When it comes to providing second-language classes for elementary schoolchildren, I think it's a great idea.

Those classes should be available at all our elementary schools, to benefit all the elementary children in the district.

I don't feel that it's a fair or prudent use of public money to fund another language-immersion program that benefits only a small percentage of PAUSD elementary students (and also creates another commuter school).

If parents want their children to have a second-language immersive experience, that's great, and those programs are available at private schools. Basically, this idea is asking the district to fund a niche group's desire with public funds.

That might be OK if all the kids in our schools already had a second-language option and we had a surplus of funds and school space.

But we don't.
Mary Kraemer
Ponce Drive
Palo Alto
Aid and appreication

Editor,

On Tuesday, Nov. 29, around 8 a.m., I was involved in an automobile accident on El Camino Real near El Monte Road. Several wonderful people took time out of their busy schedules to help the other driver and me.

Without accusations or blame, they comforted and supported both of us in our time of need. One of these Good Samaritans even gave the other driver a blanket because it was cold and she was shivering, saying, “Keep it.”

On behalf of all people in need of support in times like these, I would like to publicly thank and acknowledge the good people who so kindly go out of their way to help others. Thanks to all of you -- you know who you are.

Also, I would like to thank the Mountain View police officers who responded so quickly to the 911 call and guided traffic to prevent further problems. In addition, Officer Hammon was especially calm and compassionate in figuring out the facts of the accident.

I would also like to thank the fire department, paramedics and tow-truck drivers who responded very quickly, with wonderful compassion and got everything figured out, cleaned up and back to normal so quickly during the busy morning commute hours.

Thanks to all who were involved. You have all contributed to making a bad situation much easier.
Sarah Rahamim
Seale Avenue
Palo Alto

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