‘Seed Corn for Education’

You would have to live on another planet not to be aware of the continuing feud between State Supt. of Education Bill Honig and Gov. George Deukmejian. It boggles the mind that two intelligent men can threaten the educational future of our children because of this silly feud. Both men say that education is their No. 1 priority, so why don’t they shut up, shake hands, and prove it?

Last fall the governor said he couldn’t give the schools more money because it simply wasn’t there. Now the money is there, but he won’t give the needed money to the schools because it would make it appear that Honig has won the feud.

Many people thought that with one-third of the Lottery money going to public schools and the governor’s statement that education was No. 1 in his budget that the school coffers would be overflowing. In reality, California is in the lower half of the states in dollars spent per student. New York spends twice as much per student. We are tied with Utah for last place in having the highest class size. Our district will have to lay off teachers and drastically cut many programs if more money isn’t forthcoming.

At a time when statewide test scores are up, and Honig’s model curriculum standards stressing the basics are almost in place, we can’t throw table scraps at the schools and expect this reform package to continue at an accelerated pace.

The governor wants to take part of the huge state surplus and give each taxpayer a small rebate. How much will it cost the state in administrative costs to give this pittance back to each taxpayer? Hopefully, the Legislature will put an end to this folly.

NORMAN A. SYLER

Orange