Why would anyone be shocked by this? There’s also a branch of a credit union. It’s reasonable to assume that the service providers pay rent.

I know DWP lost this challenge in State Superior Court, but just because the court didn’t find the practice illegal doesn’t make their behavior ethical, appropriate or any more helpful in understanding LAUSD’s “bureaucratic bloat” that it was in understanding DWP’s or the city’s. (I hope some other organization which can generate more sympathy than the bloated DWP files a challenge.)

Why DO some middle school teachers make so much, while others make so little despite solid educations? This just gives fodder to some teachers wanting more money relative to others, hence inflating budgets and putting pressure on UTLA to bargain harder — the opposite of the paper’s intent in exposing salaries. WHY have admin. positions increased by 20% while school population and teacher salaries have been cut? Why does LAUSD want another $7 billion Bond to build smaller, charter-like schools in the fact of declining enrollment, just-completed over-priced behemoth schools (like Belmont and Broad Performing Arts), when as even Board member Galatzan points out, they haven’t been proven to materially improve test scores or quality of education? (Meanwhile, none of these schools are slated for the underserved westside or hillside communities.)

Being able to fire “bad” teachers should of course be an easier option, but blaming teachers for poor performance when 3/4 of LAUSD are kids of Mexican/Central American Latino immigrants who go to school poorly prepared or motivated to learn, with half dropping out, while middle class kids (of all races) have been driven out of the public schools into private/parochial, or often to other school districts like Palos Verdes, Hermosa, South Pasadena. That’s a key reason LA has the smallest middle class of any of the top 20 cities — and LAUSD’s Board which builds for the immigrant demographic while taxing the middle class is contributing to it. Even if LAUSD isn’t responsible for the city’s demographic, their bias against the middle and upper middle class taxpayers is largely to blame for the teaching burdens placed on teachers. This “elephant in the room,” as commenters on Daily News (who tend to be blue collar or struggling middle class, but increasingly even upper middle class sick of paying college tuition rates for school that should be “free”) often note, is what no amount of “good teaching” and more money can’t miraculously “fix.” Tossing equal blame at teachers and administrators with this violation of privacy hasn’t done a thing to “fix” the problem. But I guess it serves to “titillate” some people.

Thank you for bringing this to the attention of Los Angeles readers ….. well done! This is great timing in regarding LAUSD Measure Q on the ballot coming up….

Please make yourself familar with a huge project / new school (SRHS#15 at Angel’s Gate location) planned in San Pedro that LAUSD plans on building……. the controversy here is that the community of San Pedro does not want or see a need for a new LAUSD high school.. but LAUSD says “they are going to build it” anyways because “they have the money”! $102.4 million high school for 500 magnet students (810 seat school).

This is one of the biggest issues to come into San Pedro, but only the Daily Breeze is starting to talking about it.. can you shed light on for many readers:

http://www.noisesanpedro.org

thanks,

Robert Schueller
Concerned resident of San Pedro

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fyi… a couple site regarding Measure Q that you might be interested in:
Full Disclosure blog: “LAUSD: FEED THE BEAST”: http://www.fulldisclosure.net/Blogs/59.php

NO on Measure Q: LAUSD $7 Billion Bond http://web.mac.com/waltermoore/VoteNoOnMeasureQ/Home.html

Alan, nah, I agree with you and the state Supreme Court. I just don’t agree with the Daily News.

In truth, I haven’t looked up any names at all. (Had no reason to do it.) But certainly fooled around with salary ranges for a while last night. And I was surprised to find several middle school teachers that make above $150K. Yet, 2 a.m. seemed a little late to call A.J. Duffy to ask about how they managed that.

About your last point re: firing the bad ones: Yep. Definitely.

This system depends on the passion of teachers like me. If only my databased salary would show the amount of money I spend each year on classroom supplies, student fundraisers, and snacks for hungry students. The system depends on me spending my money on these “extras.” What would happen if we teachers just cut off our contributions entirely? Our students would suffer, so most teachers are reluctant to even consider the possibility.

I hope that the folks who read this blog will support us teachers as we fight for our state given but LAUSD denied COLA from last year, health care benefits, minimal raises and classroom number caps. Those of us who have made the decision to become teachers are willing to sacrifice, but I am not willing to become a martyr.

As you might have noticed, I agree with you on this one. Also, agreed that there is no analysis. It’s all just posted willy-nilly in a sort of undifferentiated gotcha tone.

And, yeah, Beth Barrett is a hatchet queen. Skillful reporter, but hatchet queen in how she goes about using her skill.

PS: I just added your point about the analysis, which was a good one.