Theft,
not Fairness and "Maverick"
December 10, 2003
Dear Editor,
I am a Santa Monica parent writing to object to the gift redistribution
policy being proposed by Superintendent Deasy. ("Malibu
Parents Face off over Gift Policy," Dec. 10, 2003)
The issue is theft, not fairness. A gift is private funds. A
donor giving to charity is entitled to have their money utilized
per their request.
It is irrelevant whether another charity might have greater
need. It is just as wrong for the school board to take money
given to one school, and give it to another, as it would be for
a government entity to seize funds donated to Heal The Bay and
give it to the Make A Wish Foundation.
If Santa Monica schools need additional funds, it is the job
of Superintendent Deasy, and the school board, to find those
funds from a public source. Perhaps it is time for Deasy and
the school board, to ask for more funds from the city of Santa
Monica.
Each year the city Santa Monica wastes millions of dollars on
stupid street modifications. Perhaps it is time for our school
officials to suggest a much better use for those funds.
Sincerely,
Jeff Segal
Santa Monica
December 10, 2003
Dear Editor,
In the article about the proposed SMMUSD gift policy, I'm puzzled
by your
description of Superintendent John Deasy as a "maverick."
Zina Josephs
Santa Monica Eds Note: According to our dictionary, a maverick is "a
person who takes an independent stand." The definition has
no negative connotations. Given the number of innovative policies
Supt. Deasy
has backed or initiated (e.g. splitting Samohi into separate
campuses, threatening to close the schools for a week to make
up for a budget deficit, turning SMASH into a charter school,
as well as the proposed gift policy), we thought it was an appropriate
description.
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