Stop transporting OUR kids to Monterey and restore community schools

By Debra L (Clark) Gramespacher

In 2002, the Board eliminated instrumental and vocal music from our elementary schools. We must prioritize funds for LOCAL schools with music, librarians and excellence in education!

During the Budget cuts, the Board chose to close schools in Seaside and to eliminate elementary instrumental and vocal music. A double hit. To consider community schools, where we do not need to transport students to Monterey, we must first improve on the curriculum in our local schools.

Parents need to be confident that their children will receive an equally challenging and well-rounded education in Seaside as that offered in Monterey. For instance, elementary music is financed by the community in Monterey, but not in Seaside. Additionally, the district needs to identify how over 1000 additional students, transported to Monterey, can be accommodated locally.

Our goal should be to make the curriculum in Seaside so inviting that parents moving to the area would prefer Seaside schools, guaranteeing integration of our communities without the expense of transporting students across town.