Severely handicapped class arrives - The Lowell
Severely handicapped class arrives - The Lowell
Severely handicapped class arrives - The Lowell
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• EDITORIALS.<br />
Proposition 36: a definite loser<br />
When California!* voters step up to the ballet box<br />
this year, they will make decisions on proposition<br />
that will ib-pe the state's future. Some of these pro*<br />
positions benefit all, and some appeal only to certain<br />
vote", but others. Uke Proposition 36. are clear-cut<br />
losers.<br />
Proposition 36, the taxation amendment proposed<br />
by Howard Janris, should receive a NO vole<br />
regardless ot the voters opinion of Proposition 13<br />
(oaw Article XIII A In California's 2fute Constitution).<br />
Proportion 13 had many negative effects on<br />
California's school system, besides Us drastic cu \ on<br />
the state's lax revenues, which weakened or<br />
, ellmluatcd avny state-provided services.<br />
Due to Proposltlop 1.1. 1.000 teachers In San<br />
Francisco were laid oil and univcrthy/conn* unity<br />
collate fees were raised<br />
• <strong>The</strong> San Francisco Unified School District en*<br />
durcd other HnisrUl hardships when Proposition 13<br />
wu passed in 1978. At U/urcll, as s result, there arc<br />
cpproxlmately 20 percent fewer cl\sscs and teachers<br />
and Vo-lhirds fewer custodial employees.<br />
I! Proposition 36 panes, the public school system<br />
would lose, a half billion dollars. Under current stale<br />
law, the state would be fonxd to replace thcie funds.<br />
However, raising money for education would become<br />
Pledge at <strong>Lowell</strong>?<br />
<strong>The</strong> tint Amendment to the Constitution Is the<br />
opic of much debate. We hear people complain<br />
when they are denied the rig)*.: to free speech, and<br />
people get upset when they see their right to freedom<br />
ol religion being restricted in any way.<br />
Never before, until this year at <strong>Lowell</strong>, has the<br />
violation of one's right to Pledge Allegiance to thr<br />
flag ol the United States of America been an istue<br />
for debate — anywhere.<br />
California law states that all students mutt be<br />
riven the opportunity to recite the Pledge of<br />
Allegiance at school, and the <strong>Lowell</strong> uudcni government<br />
and administration have taken it upon<br />
themselves to ensure that we not be denied this<br />
"Inalienable right."<br />
California law also states that no orange may be<br />
peeled In a California hotel room, but it Is not too<br />
often that wn see somcono being arrested for this obvious<br />
crime.<br />
<strong>Lowell</strong> government, backed by the administration*<br />
apparently feels the need to make the op*<br />
portunity to recite the Pledge available to those<br />
students who seek it. Where are the dearly deprived<br />
student* hiding, and how until now have they<br />
possibly been abtc to survive? Those students who do<br />
pledge allegiance dally Uave obviously opted for<br />
recitation on their own lime.<br />
Deductions from a similar situation, last year's at*<br />
tempt by the Cardinal Crusaders to gain rights to<br />
meet on campus, may be applied here. Principal<br />
Alan Flbtsh reasoned that the right to peaceably<br />
assemble Is different from the right to peaceably<br />
assemble In someone else's living room. In the same<br />
way. the right to recite the Pledge of Allegiance is<br />
different from the right to recite the Pledge of<br />
Allegiance in our common living room, the Lowtt)<br />
High School campus.<br />
It U wrong for a high school to be tdvocating<br />
steads on moral decisions, and the weekly recitation<br />
ol the Pledge over Radio <strong>Lowell</strong>, as suggested by student<br />
government, is a violation of a «tudcnt*s right to<br />
oot Involve himself with the Pledge of Alleglince.<br />
It is diffktlt to believe that our government and<br />
administration at <strong>Lowell</strong>, are ridiculous enough to<br />
think that some students will actually embarrass<br />
themselves by-standing up In'front of their entire<br />
seated registry, to recite the Pledge and even more<br />
: ridiculous to think that faculty mcmbcis are going to<br />
itand up and lead their registries in this recitation.<br />
as was proposed by student government.<br />
This new. tradition at <strong>Lowell</strong> is supposed to have<br />
Already taken effect. It doesn't seem to be working<br />
too well. Jor now students up Ptedgbg Allegiance<br />
;]tut ax oivwzs they were be/ore this issue became<br />
suet a malordbctusloo topic — which is not at all.<br />
It Is the opinion of Toe <strong>Lowell</strong> that although our<br />
student government and administration meant well<br />
In their attempted Introduction of what &ey hoped<br />
would be a new tradition at <strong>Lowell</strong>, this entire Issue<br />
*af a waste of valuable time and energy which could<br />
hire easily been spCnt more constructively on more<br />
Important school-related Issues.<br />
^Pride. Iz. our nation Is one thing. Being forced to<br />
bivolve ourselves In expressing pride Is another Issue<br />
altogether.^ - ~<br />
even more difficult ilncc the state's source of tbU<br />
meney Is taxes and 36 would hamper California's<br />
taxing ability.<br />
If a voter finds that he does not Uke what Proportion<br />
13 ha? done for our state, cither in the arc* of<br />
educational funding or in its other effects on state<br />
taxes, he should vote against 36 which beasts "Save<br />
1J" as its motto.<br />
If. however, the voter supports 13 and Is happy<br />
w!,h its effects upnn California, he should still vole<br />
NO on 36.<br />
Proposition 36 enhances all of the bad aspects or<br />
13 and even creates some problems of its own. <strong>The</strong><br />
Initiative may be an attempt tn iavc Proposition 13.<br />
but it won't work.<br />
This proposition would decrease the taxes on<br />
those properties which currently pay the lowest taxst<br />
and increase the IAXCS on those properties with Uw<br />
highest assessments. <strong>The</strong> assessments on properties<br />
which have not changed hands since I97.S would be<br />
decreased by 6 percent. Generally, these are the properties<br />
which have the lowest assessments under Proposition<br />
13.<br />
In total, there would be 1.3 billion doHars granted<br />
in tix cuts to thes already advantaged (by Proposition<br />
13) property owners. This is simply unlUr.<br />
Proposition 36 nUo proposes that a two-thirds majority<br />
vote be required for any tax increase or<br />
decrease. This Is. in many situations, rule by minority<br />
since ir would allow -mc-third of the legislature to<br />
control the remaining members.<br />
By requiring this two-third* majority on all local<br />
and state tax policies, the effectiveness of California's<br />
local and slate governments would be seriously<br />
reduced since their abilities to tax woutd be affected.<br />
Other reasons for opposing tills amendment include<br />
a provision which would unnecessarily redefine<br />
the word "lax." a voiding of many voter-approved<br />
local taxes by the addition of new restrictions on the<br />
voters, a shifting of control of fund's from the local to<br />
the state level, and numerous other minor, but<br />
harmful, provisions and effects.<br />
Among the organizations opposing ihh proposition<br />
are the California Teachers Association, the<br />
American Federation of Teachers, the California<br />
Parent Teachers Association, the Chamber o! Commerce,<br />
and outstanding citizens and leaders such as<br />
Mayor Dianne Fclmteln, State Superintendent of<br />
Public Education Bill Honig, and SupcrvUur Quentin<br />
Kopp.<br />
In summary. Proposi'ion 36 would neither negate<br />
the effects 13 had on our school system nor would it<br />
"save 13." In fact. It would do more harm to our<br />
already underfunded schools and would tncfease<br />
the unfairness In California's tax situation.<br />
SAB questions access to gym<br />
Do <strong>class</strong>rooms belong to the teachcre who use<br />
them during the d»y? Do teachers hare the right not<br />
lo allow a club to meet In "their" room after school?<br />
<strong>The</strong> answer lo these questions is an obvious,<br />
'NO." So why docs the Physical Education Department<br />
believe it hrs the right tn say that students ma><br />
not use the gymnasium?<br />
<strong>The</strong> Physical Education Department and its<br />
department head Ed Burns have adamantly ttated<br />
their view that the Student Activities Board should<br />
hold school spirit nMles on the football Held, in the<br />
courtyard, or in the auditorium.<br />
<strong>The</strong> difference of opinion between the P.E.<br />
Department and the SAB b not new. Last year, the<br />
school district allotted funds for repairs of the <strong>Lowell</strong><br />
site, and some ai the money was spent lo resurface<br />
the gymnasium floor. Since then, students have been<br />
hearing about the worries of Burns and membrn of<br />
the department of possible "damage" lo thr floor by<br />
non-P.E. <strong>class</strong> use.<br />
Fint ol all, does the P.E. Department really<br />
believe that heavy metal volleyball and badminton<br />
poles and gymnastics and other equipment wlH<br />
cause leu damage lo ih: surface than students walk*<br />
ing slowly in and out of the gymnasium? (Can<br />
anyone ever run out of the mobbed gym after a ral><br />
ly?)<br />
Second, the rallies are just as much a part of<br />
<strong>Lowell</strong> as the physical education <strong>class</strong>es, Xlter all,<br />
OLC of the factors that makes <strong>Lowell</strong> an outstanding<br />
school Is the pride and identification that the<br />
students nave for the name of <strong>Lowell</strong> and thr colors<br />
red and white.<br />
<strong>The</strong> first rally of the 1984-85 school year was set<br />
for Friday, September 21. <strong>The</strong> SAB had planned It<br />
mil In advance and had let the Physical Education<br />
Department know ot Its Intention. On the morning<br />
of the rally, instead of the expected sunshine, cloudy<br />
skies gave San Frandvo some ot the tint rain of the<br />
season and rendered the football field and track the<br />
infamous "<strong>Lowell</strong> Swamp" end "Lake <strong>Lowell</strong>."<br />
With the wet field and bleachers, the rally could<br />
not possibly have been held on the football field. But<br />
thii did not cause a problem because the SAB had<br />
planned for the rally lo occur In the gymnasium.<br />
What did cause the problem was the appearance of<br />
Bunis in the jym as the sound crew was setting up<br />
for the rally.<br />
He told the SAB that they were to vacate the gymnasium<br />
and have the rally In the courtyard. <strong>The</strong> SAB<br />
did not originally consider the courtyard as a<br />
possibility because of the hard surface that would<br />
I adversely affect the performance ot tho tong glrb<br />
1 and UK cheerleaders. . *<br />
John Bistett. sponsor n( the SAB, asked Principal<br />
Alan Fiblsh to take actiin for the rally that was less<br />
tlian an hour awny. Ftblsh tote 1 Bluett that tSey<br />
could discuss I 1 the following Monday.<br />
<strong>The</strong> rall.v. which was very crowds d£s 1J the<br />
limited amount of room in thr. courtyard, was a success<br />
and the song girls and cheerleaders performed<br />
their routines to the best ot their ability, considering<br />
the circumstances.<br />
<strong>The</strong> next Tuesday. Flbish. Blssctt, and Burns met<br />
and discussed the issue. Burns stated that the gymnarlum<br />
was available for rallies whenever there was<br />
"Inclement weather." (A less important though interesting<br />
point Is that the word "inclement" means<br />
"extremely harsh, stormy, and rough." Does this<br />
mean U»t Burns will not allow rallies !n the gym tintil<br />
a typhoon hits <strong>Lowell</strong> and wreaks havoc on the<br />
football field m.1 the courtyard?)<br />
<strong>The</strong> P.E. Dcpcrtmcnt is not explicitly stating that<br />
rallies wiii not take place in thr. gymnasium, but<br />
rather saying tbat students should attend them outside<br />
and "enjoy the fresh air." Meanwhile the SAB<br />
will hold some rallies outside and some Inside the<br />
gymnasium.<br />
<strong>The</strong>re Is an Ironic note to this whole subject. <strong>The</strong><br />
athletic department U hosting a "Binge Night" in<br />
the near future as a fundraiser for itself rod the<br />
band. Can you guess where it will be held? Yes. in'<br />
the gymnasium. Maybe if the student body donates<br />
some money to ths P.E. Department, Burnt and the<br />
rest ol the department will be eagir to let the rallies<br />
oelnthcgym.<br />
Presently. It seems as If the conflict Is settled.<br />
Fiblsh stated tbat no pjbllc student activity can be<br />
restricted from using a part ol the building. Toe<br />
<strong>Lowell</strong> h glad thr dispute Is no Icagcr causing problems<br />
and hopes that the students of LowUl High<br />
School wai never have to fece the possibility of losing -<br />
the use of a school facility.<br />
-T-<br />
1 I<br />
'4<br />
.--4.<br />
^