“And let’s think about it, is it really costing $70,000 per classroom to build and maintain the schools?”
My only experience with schools has been in Coronado and now NY. The difference is stunning:
In Coronado, gorgeous new massive buildings and classrooms, lots of constant maintenance and new fields, new equipment, expensive artsy sunshades over the playground, etc etc etc….. but average learning. Very little music, art, foreign language, poor math & science coverage and equipment and just mediocre volume of information learned in general. They are always touting their test scores, but I can tell you from experience (I went to TPines) that the education is very specific… not well-rounded. I couldnt have argued about politics, science, or history with an adult the way the kids around here can.
In NY, old brick buildings, old chairs, old sinks and bathrooms (not dirty or disgusting, just old – would have been replaced long ago in CA), old floors, the parents take care of any planting or landscape other than the mowers and most basic shrub shearing (and the shrubs were planted 30+ years ago and often should go), teachers dressed up every day in ties, dress shirts, etc, equal number of male & female teachers (dont see that much anymore in CA), and best yet…. EXCELLENT subject matter, and a lot of it.
In our tiny elementary school, a full band, full orchestra, with two teachers (one for each group and even AIDES in these groups), weekly private or semi-private lessons at school (depending on the instrument, but never more than two or three kids in a group) AND a third who teaches basic music theory to all kids and runs three choruses which all participate in. All three have at least a Masters in music. As a matter of fact, most of the classroom teachers at our school have a Master’s. This is a PUBLIC school.
The reason we have such different quality of schools? The “Right” will say TAXES!!!! (because they are high in NY no doubt about it). But that is not the reason – our teachers do not get paid too differently, the reason is… lower cost of living, specifically housing. A man or woman can actually CHOOSE teaching as a profession, and live comfortably. Own a home, have a family, drive a decent car, take vacations. Can’t do that on a teacher’s salary in CA.
I love CA. Loved growing up there, and hold out hope it turns around (which is probably why i keep coming back to this site even though i no longer am looking to move back).
Incidentally, I posted in early summer about many houses coming up for sale here entitled “Not in MY Neighborhood”. As an update: Although it was slow, I am now seeing nothing but SOLD signs everywhere. So I guess things have slowed to normal, but not died. We’ve had four on my street alone turnover this summer, and all sold briskly, and for only the usual price negotiation. None were flippers, just people getting older and leaving. Nothing notable.
