Readers React:  California’s wealthy kids aren’t being shortchanged

To the editor: I have to take issue with a readers’ misleading statement that students in affluent areas only appear to have an unfair advantage but, in fact, have been shortchanged. He suggests we investigate per-pupil funding. (“‘Private’ summer school classes prompt debate,” Letters, July 15)

Yes, indeed. Should we do so, we would see that California has two types of school districts, “revenue limit” and “basic aid.” The basic-aid districts are the ones that can afford to bring in foundations to hold summer school classes paid for by parents, while summer school funding for a revenue-limit district like L.A. Unified has dropped from $40 million to $1 million currently.

My granddaughter attends a basic-aid school. She was in a class of 13 with a full-time assistant and specialty teachers in art, music, instrumental music, Spanish, PE and computers. You will not find that at my former revenue-limit school in Pacoima.

Yes, let’s challenge our elected officials to be fair to all.

Kathie Marshall, Santa Barbara

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