My Letter To Governor Schwartznegger (not funny)

Governor Schwartznegger,


My name is Krankiboy and I am a concerned educator and writer. I am writing your administration to express my concerns about the state of California's educational system. I also have three viable solutions to the crisis. You know as well as anyone that California is facing many financial challenges as it continues to rank among the very lowest of all fifty states in nearly every measureable aspect of education. I'm sure you'll agree that losing more funding poses a huge threat to the state's public schools.

I believe that many of the problems with our Educational system have been caused by the fact that California home owners do not pay a high enough percentage of property taxes towards Education. Other states property taxes put four times the amount of tax money into their educational systems. The per school spending that our state puts into education is deplorable. I would like you to consider changing these senseless policies and make more property tax go towards education. Schools are a part of the community and it is the responsibility of the people in the community (whether they have children in school or not) to support public schools.

State property taxes are what fund, or in our case, under-fund our educational system. I believe that this must change immediately. Education is about children and children are a community's future. It is the responsibility of the property owners to fund education. The current 1.0 percent leaves our schools without the money and resources that so many schools desperately need. The children of California deserve the same level of education as children in other states.

A second cost-effective idea is to increase state funding to non-profit organizations that have proven themselves. Organizations who have shown solid measurable results in increasing the quality of education, enrichment programs and test scores. Non-profit programs such as Access Books and S.T.A.R. Education. These non-profits are able to make a huge impact with limited financial means. They are able to put up to 90 percent of their funding directly into the schools and libraries. Money that goes directly to purchasing materials and creating opportunities our school children are entitled to. Programs such as Open Court Reading are not effective and at nearly 4,800.00 dollars per classroom, they are expensive. Open Court Reading is an expense that is forced upon teachers by the federal government for the financial gain of those in power. These corporate profits are coming at the expense of California's school children.

Governor, I know that you and I would both be proud to live in a California that had the best funded schools in the nation. Thank you to you and your staff for considering my suggestions.

It will require an adjustment to the financial structure of our state education policy. But I would be empowered to have a Governor who does more than just follow the empty promise of "No Child Left Behind." I urge you to raise property taxes, support successful non-profits, and dump Open Court Reading.

Let your actions speak louder than hollow words. True leadership is tested under difficult circumstances. I challenge you to pave the way for our future and be the leader that California needs. Earn the respect of a great leader. Prove yourself. Reform public school funding.


Sincerely,



Krankiboy, Educator