Reader's Forum - Marin IJ - By Frances S. Nelson, Sausalito

Tuesday Readers' Forum - Marin IJ - By Reader Frances S. Nelson, Sausalito

Readers Opinion on Marin IJ stories about Sasualito Marin City Schools

'Bad press' does not help.

The recent series regarding the Sausalito-Marin schools was at best misleading, and at times bordered on the slanderous.

The high per-pupil cost was reiterated without any attempt to analyze the figures. This district is unusually small at 283 students. A district of 600 students would probably cost little more to operate. Certain expenses are inevitable in even the smallest district: a superintendent, custodial services, utilities and, especially, special education services. This district spends about $750,000, 20 percent of its budget, on federally mandated special education beyond the amount reimbursed.

Willow Creek Academy, praised for spending less per student, benefits from all these services as well. Was this factored into the "per pupil cost" comparison?

One parent who had chosen to send her child to private school was quoted as saying that "few if any students read at grade level." Did anyone ask the principal if this was correct? It is not.

In fact, some students read way above grade level. Those students who do not, whether at Bayside or Willow Creek, receive individual help from the resource teacher.

The most outrageous charge was from someone quoted as saying that "no one seems to care." I have observed while working part time at Bayside that every single adult working there: teachers, administrators, classroom aides, custodian, etc., cares very much about these children, and is trying hard to make their schooling work.

Some more affluent families elect to send their children to private schools. They can afford the choice. Many in this district cannot, though they are equally deserving of an excellent public education. I happen to believe that a multicultural environment is not only healthy, but part of a good education.

I am confident that as the schools in Sausalito-Marin City continue to improve (and test scores don't tell the whole story), families will come to realize this.

Unfortunately, bad press, such as these articles, do not help to convince people.

Frances S. Nelson, Sausalito

Article Launched: 06/27/2006 04:16:00 AM PDT