Letters To The Editor

SCHOOLS AND EDUCATION

District looking out for all its charges

Re: “Do what’s right for Spokane kids” (Greg Cook, Letters, Sept. 25).

Many families have experienced the inconvenience of busing. I’m sure they were also rightfully upset. I hope the Cooks don’t feel singled out.

They state the “real problem” is not enough teachers. District 81 has supplied the teachers. Perhaps they are not in the Cook’s neighborhood school, but they are there, nonetheless, ready to teach Tiffany.

The Cooks state their children have all the rights pertaining to all citizens. I wasn’t aware it is my right to have what I want when I want it.

They say Tiffany “courageously opposed the district.” Would they find it courageous if she were to challenge their rules? Is she encouraged to fight their rules that she doesn’t consider fair?

“You may not like the rules, but they are there for your own good” is a common statement made by parents. In this case, the school district is looking out for the good of all its students.

The school district is not “playing with” Tiffany’s “life, emotions and well-being.” It’s trying to provide the best education possible for all its students. Tiffany’s well-being is her parents’ responsibility, not District 81’s.

Every day, children in this city are beaten, raped and killed. Tiffany has merely been bused. Instead of lashing out at the district and community, the Cooks should use this as a chance to teach Tiffany how to overcome the frustrations of an inconvenience. Debra A. Noble Spokane

Nothing totalitarian about it

Re: the Cook family’s continuing battle with School District 81.

First, their use of the work “totalitarian,” shows their hardened attitude in this matter. Words such as “fascist,” “communist” and “totalitarian” are nothing more than rhetoric intended to inflame emotions and move the discussion away from more substantial issues.

The district’s attempts to negotiate and appease show that the word, in it’s conventional sense, does not apply.

Secondly, let’s call a spade a spade. The Cooks intentionally moved into the Woodridge area to enjoy a modern, new school building with a population base substantially higher than that of the Browne school area. Although we all want what’s best for our children, we can’t do it at the expense of budgetary constraints that affect all the other students. To hide the demand about choice of school by her parents behind the cloak of democratic or constitutional issues is not only nonsense, it is invidious. I feel sorry for the child and the ordeal she went through.

Hopefully, some time her parents can explain to her that not everything goes as intended. If she learns anything, I hope it is that. Steve P. Quaid Spokane

It all goes back to highhanded unions

The sad result of the recent Woodridge Elementary School confrontation reflects the sorry condition of our public education system.

A 10-year-old sixth-grader was not only barred from attending her neighborhood school but was threatened with arrest if she ever came back. If nothing else gets the attention of Spokane’s sleeping citizens, this should. The specter of an armed officer standing in the doorway of a public school to frighten or arrest a child should awaken even the Rip Van Winkles among us.

It’s past time for taxpayers to wake up and return both reason and sanity to District 81. Schools exist to educate our children, but over time, our system has been subverted by the National Education Association and other teacher unions. The mission now seems to be providing a financial base through compelled union membership and the resulting dues to push political agendas while providing high-paying jobs for administrators and staff.

Snooze on, Spokane, and maybe the next kid run over by the system will be a member of your family. Stephen W. Carter Spokane

Leave life skills training to parents

I recently attended an open house at Chase Middle School and was generally pleased. But then came a class called Life Skills.

I always assumed the teaching of such skills was parents’ work. You know, like teaching my son to mow the lawn, do the dishes, unclog a drain, throw a curve ball, etc. But someone in charge of District 81 curriculum decided all students must also learn to sew, cook, iron and care for a screaming baby. Someday, such skills will likely be handy. But to require them? Give me a break! Let me be clear; this course content it is not an elective. Learning to make a pillow and iron a shirt is required.

To be fair, my son actually likes the class (sure beats crunching math or writing essays) and his teacher, I’m sure, is quite competent. But how about a reality check? Does someone have a copy of “It Takes a Village” on their night stand ?

On the bright side, my son is a good student and may someday apply to a college. If, for some reason, his math or English grades fall short of the admission standards, he can always say, “How about this pillow?” Jerry E. Olson Spokane

Situation makes case for school vouchers

I am appalled at the way our public school officials handled the Tiffany Cook affair. All Tiffany wanted to do was to be with her sister and friends. To make matters worse, this tragedy involved a military family and a father who has dedicated his life to the protection of our country. There is definitely something wrong with a system that prevents a child from attending a neighborhood school and blames the policy on a union contract.

Many, many thanks to Assumption School, a Catholic school that accepted Tiffany and is not bound by ridiculous policies detrimental to the well-being of their students.

Maybe it is time to take another look at the voucher system, which would have allowed Tiffany’s parents to send their daughter to a school of their choice. Michael G. Schrader Liberty Lake

LAW AND JUSTICE

Saudi justice more swift and sure

Re: Los Angeles Times article, “Saudis’ system of justice on trial in capital punishment murder case.”

As one who lived in Saudi Arabia for 13 years, I find this article to be very biased against the Saudi system and obviously written by someone who has not lived in that culture.

It is virtually impossible to compare Saudi justice with this country’s, for several reasons. In Saudi Arabia you can walk the streets any time of day or night without fear of ambush. You can leave your house unlocked without fear of robbery. Murder, rape, civil destruction and vandalism, although they do occur, are very rare, compared to most anywhere in the U.S. Incarceration costs are much less in Saudi Arabia, too. Proven or admitted guilt is dealt with relatively quickly.

One of the greatest difficulties for an expatriate returning to the U.S. is the culture shock of crime here. Our courts’ actions come off as pathetic as well. Charles J. Clock Jr. Post Falls