Why not try throwing money at teachers?
To the editor:
Late last month, the Review-Journal wrote of the large numbers of Clark County high school students who failed the district's math tests. Not only was it on the front page, but it was the lead story, with large, bold headlines to create reader interest.
Then, on April 3, the Review-Journal ran a story pointing out that Nevada is still near the bottom in per-pupil spending. In fact, Nevada ranks 45th in spending out of the 50 states. Could it possibly be that, like everything else in life, you get what you pay for?
And for those who say throwing money at the problem will not fix it, I point out to you that teachers are the lowest paid college graduates in the country. As a former teacher and as a 40-year resident of Clark County, I can assure you that throwing money at teachers has never been tried here.
While the story of the test failures was front-page news, the story of low funding of Nevada students was pretty much hidden on Page 2B. That says a lot about how the Review-Journal fails to present a fair picture to its readers.
Ronald Misenor
LAS VEGAS
Nice shot
To the editor:
I would like to congratulate Las Vegas police for their professional handling of the incident last week involving the man with the baseball bat (April 3 Review-Journal). Police shot the man in the lower leg -- it was refreshing to read that they refrained from using lethal force.
Too often we read about an officer killing somebody wielding a knife or a club -- as in the case with the woman shot and killed in Henderson for allegedly displaying the former. The fact that the bat-wielding man is alive is proof that there are some professional, conscientious officers out there. Their extra efforts to preserve life deserve kudos.
JOEY KANTOR
LAS VEGAS
What's to hide?
To the editor:
The story of Deshira Selimaj, the wife of the ice cream truck driver who was killed by police coming to the aid of her husband in Henderson, stinks to high heaven. Police said an officer killed her because she had a knife in her hand. This is one sorry story that the officers on the scene couldn't disarm this one woman.
Did she really have a knife? The article in Saturday's newspaper says Chief Richard Perkins couldn't be reached for comment. What's the problem about not letting out any information on this case? Something to hide?
Chief Perkins called the shooter, officer Luke Morrison, a "real-life hero." Sure. I'm 81 years old, Chief Perkins, and if you need someone to take a knife away from some woman in the future, call me. I'll do it for free and won't kill her in the process.
Roy Brooks
PAHRUMP
Raise taxes now
To the editor:
On April 2, you gave Nevada Gov. Jim Gibbons "The Final Word" on your editorial page: "How can state government turn to people who are having to do with less?" The governor has it right. How can we turn to these people and say:
--You will also have fewer teachers for your kids who probably won't finish high school and can't pass the math test.
--Fewer social and mental health services to assist you.
--Fewer nursing and dental students who can afford to attend college in Nevada.
Put your pride and your ludicrous campaign promises aside, governor, and bring our state into the 21st century.
JoAnne Hawkins
HENDERSON
School spending
To the editor:
The education establishment will probably be upset with Vin Suprynowicz's Sunday column advocating big cuts in education funding ("Promote quality education -- slash funding").
But a couple of his points could help solve some of Nevada's budget and education problems.
The first is the free education being given to thousands of children who are not legal residents. Ending this practice would reduce class sizes, eliminating the need for most new school construction and freeing up funds for teachers and other budget needs.
If this can't be done, their parents' employers should be required to pay for their education.
The other key point is reinforcing the need to master the three R's in grades one through three. Smaller classes and summer school, or holding back the kids who don't achieve minimum proficiency in the basics, should be mandatory. They will never be ready for more advanced subjects if they are missing these skills.
Tom Keller
HENDERSON
A waste
To the editor:
How exciting it was to read Friday that our illustrious Gov. Jim Gibbons is going to address waste and inefficiency in state government.
If I may be so bold, I'd like to offer a suggestion to Gov. Gibbons: that he take a long, hard look in the mirror every morning when he gets up, and every evening before he goes to bed. If he's serious about addressing waste and inefficiency, a big part of the problem will be staring back at him on a daily basis.
Terry Cox
HENDERSON
