Raising the education standards for our children

By Stephen "Doc" Guffanti

In 2008 80% of our children scored at basic level or above. These next four years will see our average child learn to excel. To inspire these children our district needs to raise our expectations, our standards and our quality. The only opposition is the union bosses. They have endeavored to subvert Dr. Bales' literacy efforts by diverting the funds used to pay for it. Follow the money and look at endorsements. Don't turn our district back to the dark days of mediocrity.

The California Department of Education tells us that about 80% of our children scored at basic level or above in 2008. For the first time in decades our district is focusing on the child in the middle.

Assuming that the newly elected board doesn't fire the superintendent, who is guiding the district to excellence, these next four years will see our average child learn to excel. In order to inspire these children our district needs to raise our expectations, our standards and our quality.

To the families this means a brighter future for their children. To the taxpayer this means a better return on your tax dollars. And to the community it means higher employment, better jobs and a safer community.

Yet, only four years ago most voters would have considered this a pipe dream. Only one-third of our children were reading at grade level. Without that gateway skill at every turn our kids were frustrated from learning any subject.

What made the difference? - The uniting of our classroom teachers with our superintendent's support. Dr. Bales has brought our classroom teachers new tools to teach reading and Math. This support has taken our teachers' grassroots effort to the next level and our schools are excited.

The only opposition to this academic turn around is the union bosses. They started their "Bail out on Bales" campaign last year and have endeavored to subvert Dr. Bales' literacy efforts by diverting the funds used to pay for it. As each attempt failed they have become more and more adamant.

This election may well be their last attempt to return to mediocrity and only your vote can save our kids.

I have declined to seek the union endorsement because I don't believe they would put $30,000 into a candidate's campaign and not pressure him or her to end this literacy effort even if it meant firing the superintendent. Before you vote for another candidate I recommend you follow the money and look at his or her endorsements. Don't turn our district back to the dark days of mediocrity.