Teachers are educators, not activists
In a recent opinion piece, the Pajaro Valley Federation of Teachers expressed concern on being silenced in the classroom. PVUSD teachers need to be reminded that they have a civic role to be educators. The concept that they are change agents, child advocates, architects of democracy, challenging systems of oppression, transforming society and teaching for justice distracts them from the nature of their work. The teachers in our local public schools perform an essential government service. Public schools do not belong to the teachers, they belong to the public. The activist teacher in the classroom puts forth the agenda that the society they serve is defective and they must fix it. Teachers are state employees and their speech or conduct is limited by that fact. There is a difference between teaching about politics and teaching politics that distinction being modeling civic virtue or recruiting followers. Public schools are not platforms; they are civic institutions. The PVUSD current test scores with statewide CAASPP exams were abysmal. Let’s have the district’s teachers abandon their activist agenda and return the classroom to an environment for learning.
Mark McLaughlin
Corralitos
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Accepting invitation for dialogue
Mr. Lelieur: In your letter to the Pajaronian (“Stolen signs suppress free expression,” Oct. 17-23), you complained that someone had stolen your “No on 50” political sign, that this was an “…assault on free speech.” and that “…it conveys the message that ‘Your voice doesn’t belong here,’ eroding the very foundations of our democracy.” I agree with all of your statements.
But, as chair of the Santa Cruz County Republican Central Committee, you must be aware that the leader of your party has been “eroding the very foundations of our democracy” a bit himself. I find this quite ironic.
BTW, I’ll take you up on your offer to share coffee with those with differing views. My number is 722-7645.
For years I have tried hard to listen for understanding with many MAGA members, but I have found that we start with different ground rules, so I propose three preconditions to meeting.
1) We recognize facts as being true (I propose using Wikipedia as necessary).
2) We agree that science takes us as close to truth as we can come today, and that
3) We respect the Constitution.
I further propose that we start by expressing our hopes for our children’s futures, because we ARE all in this together.
During my 50 years living and working the Pajaro Valley, I have found this community to be open-minded and accepting of diverse opinions. Meetings such as the one you propose are critical for us to reduce polarization and continue to live in harmony.
Don Eggleston
Aptos
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Letter to the Editor: Prop 50 Hurts Farmers and Rural California
Proposition 50 is a direct attack on fair representation—and it will hit farmers the hardest. This measure takes power away from the citizens’ redistricting commission that voters created in 2008 and 2010 to keep politicians from drawing self-serving maps. If Prop 50 passes, Sacramento insiders will once again control how districts are drawn, and rural voices—especially farmers—will be drowned out.
Just look at what could happen: areas like Redding could be lumped into the same district as parts of the Bay Area. That means farmers and ranchers in the North State will be represented by politicians who have no understanding of agriculture, water needs, or rural life. Instead of fair maps, we’ll get gerrymandered districts designed to please urban interests and punish rural communities.
California’s farmers already face enough challenges. We shouldn’t lose our political voice, too. Keep redistricting in the hands of the people — not the politicians. Vote no on Prop 50 to protect fair representation and defend rural California.
Mike Lelieur
Santa Cruz
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