Letters Pour In: Response to Rep. Al Melvin-- Readers skeptical of GOP on education

Arizona Daily Star readers write letters to challenge Rep. Al Melvins's (LD-26) April 27 Guest opinion "Education is a Priority for Republican Lawmakers."

Republicans' Math Doesn't Add Up

Sen. Al Melvin asserted that the Republican legislative majority cares about public education. Then he blamed teachers unions and the Democratic minority for not working with the majority. His arguments are confusing.
Melvin, one of the legislators who signed a no-tax pledge, threw up a decoy to try to misdirect attention away from Republican leaders, who stalled a budget for four months and kept Democrats in the dark. The budget, finally out this week, proposes nearly $900 million in additional education cuts that would snatch extra money from school districts with reserve cash balances. That would punish taxpayers living in financially prudent school districts and likely lead to higher property taxes.
Melvin said stimulus money would help retain teachers who received pink slips. But this kind of hocus-pocus accounting likely would break federal rules and jeopardize Arizona's qualification for stimulus money. How does that add up?

Sandra Spangler
Tucson

Pass a budget so we can get back to work

If Republicans cared about education, they would have passed the budget already so we can see exactly how bad the cuts are going to be.
At our schools we have spent hours working on numerous scenarios involving cuts of 12 percent, 14 percent, 18 percent or higher; slowly destroying peoples' careers with each scenario.
Tell us how much you are taking away so we can plan accordingly and people will know if they have jobs or not.
Marc and Susan Severson
Educators, Tucson

Waiting to exhale
Sen. Al Melvin, R-Tucson, takes strong offense at those who question GOP legislators' commitment to education funding. In proclaiming that "education is our No.1 priority," he in essence tells those critics to take a deep breath.
As a father of a kindergartner at Ventana Vista Elementary School, I intend to take Melvin's advice. I take some measure of comfort in his strong commitment on behalf of the GOP to education funding. And I assume that just as Melvin believes in accountability in public education he believes in elected representatives being held accountable by their constituents for their promises.
The proof, of course, will be in the pudding: Whether our children suffer the loss of vital teaching positions (think art, music and gifted education, for example) at the hands of the Republican-led Legislature. Until then, I'm sure the senator will understand if I don't exhale.
Peter Gruenstein
Attorney, Tucson

Teachers cover up for state's missteps

Sen. Al Melvin says the truth is being distorted. Well, the truth is that Arizona ranks close to last in per-pupil spending. (Arizona ranks 49th in per-pupil spending according to Education Week.) Melvin states there are bright spots in his district, including the Marana Unified School District. I taught at Marana High School for 20 years, retiring in 2004. The bright spot is the teacher dedication and commitment that fuels the bright minds of our students, not the state's meager funding.
Melvin also stated the education budget is ever increasing. Well what isn't? No matter how one spins it, our education budget is dismal and needs more allocation. How can we not invest in our children?
Linda Zello
Teacher, Tucson