Constant cutting won’t help improve our schools

To the editor:

It is continually reported that Nevada schools are below the national average, and that our kids aren't making the grade. Teachers are always blamed.

But the real problem lies with the Legislature.

Lawmakers want to increase class sizes when in many cases they already have more than 40 pupils per classroom, especially in middle school and high school. Layoffs and an 8 percent reduction in salaries are also being discussed.

Everyone wants Nevada schools to step up to the plate, but the state is unwilling to really do anything about it, except blame teachers. Try making a difference with classes so large that you couldn't possibly give individual attention. Does the governor think that Nevada is going to attract the best and brightest when 8 percent may be taken from teachers' salaries, further reducing paychecks that are already below the national average for most of Nevada's teachers?

The Legislature wants to lay off 2,500 educators. That means some teachers and computer and literary specialists are on the chopping block. Does this state want to improve our children's education? It won't happen if we keep cutting.

How about some of these ideas for reducing the budget?

-- Reducing the textbook budget will make publishers unhappy, but that's something that could be done without affecting the classroom much. Many good teachers don't use their books, and new ones are ordered every few years.

-- Get rid of some of the regional superintendents, assistants and their secretaries.

-- Eliminate staff development days. I don't know one teacher who thinks they are useful.

Republicans, in particular, are the first to criticize our schools, but they are never willing to do anything about the conditions. Their mantra is to keep taxes low, especially for businesses and casinos, but they seem willing to continue to drain school resources.

I taught for 30 years and can't count five teachers who I wouldn't want my own child to have. They work nights, weekends and, yes, summers grading papers, preparing for the next school day or for the new school year. They deserve our respect, and our kids deserve a chance to succeed.

Alyne Strusser

Henderson

Shutdown

To the editor:

There is a lot of talk in Washington about shutting down the government if the Republicans don't get the spending cuts they want. Everyone realizes that spending needs to be bought under control, especially in the entitlement programs and subsidies to companies that don't need and should not get the money -- for example, Wall Street banks and the oil companies.

However, I find this shutting down the government talk irresponsible, especially when our country is involved in fighting three wars. Imagine how those serving in the military forces will feel finding out that the government that sent them to war has shut down and effectively gone home because they gave up on reaching agreement?

I can think of few things more unpatriotic and un-American than doing something like this.

I believe any politician who supports shutting down the government during a time of war should be charged with treason and prosecuted accordingly.

In full disclosure, I feel very strongly about this, as I have a son currently serving in the Marines and a son currently serving in the Navy.

Tom Lynch

North Las Vegas