Excuses, excuses on poor attendance the first day of school

The explanations for some Baltimore City students missing opening day were rather unusual, based on the belief that "this year was supposed to be different" according to The Sun's Sept. 7 article ("Only 79 percent of city students show up 1st day").

According to The Sun, schools chief Robert Booker shook it off, saying, "This is a problem that seems to come up in all big school systems." He's going to have his staff analyze the issue.

Other excuses were voiced by "educators," ranging from school switches to extended vacations.

The head of the Baltimore parent-teacher group, Bernadette Forman, said that "ultimately, parents need to be responsible for getting their children to school," even going to the extreme of calling for truant officers.

Tru Ginsburg, the head of the Baltimore Education Network, said, "We need to have people go out to the houses of those children who didn't show up and ask them why." Ms. Ginsburg also offered some sage advice: We need to be patient. "It's not going to happen in the first shot," she said.

For a real understanding of education in Baltimore, read Gary Levin's piece in the Sept. 6 Sun ("Give school reforms an F"). It is a shame that Mr. Levin wasn't in charge the past 32 years. If he had been, perhaps opening day would be something to cheer about.

R. D. Bush

Columbia

Public schools need consistency over change

Kudos for Gary Levin's Sept. 6 article ("Give school reforms an F").

Mr. Levin underscored a myth in American society: that change is salvation for public schools. If change were the "savior," then public schools would be in great shape.

Change, unfortunately, has been omnipresent. For the 32 years that I have been teaching, nothing has been more predictable. Every year yields some new gimmick. Sadly, these messianic changes victimize two parties: students and the taxpayers who have been flimflammed into financing them. Dimensions of learning, cooperative learning, outcomes-based education, whole language, open spaces, and on and on and on.

One of these days, I hope, the public is going to say enough. If The Sun wants a story, why not investigate the long-term costs of these constant changes?

At Fallston High School, teachers were given a list indicating that more than 45 students in our attendance area opted for nonpublic schools inside or outside Harford County. There seems to be a message there.

But I doubt that most administrators will pay any attention.

Is it any wonder that private schools are so attractive? They have some positive qualities that public schools lack.

Foremost is stability. Public schools, because of the bent toward "change," qualify as the most unstable institutions in the United States. Our private school professionals seem to respect tradition. That doesn't mean they are tradition-bound, but they do seem to recognize that substantive change must be measured and implemented with a lot of forethought. Private school leaders, to their credit, seem to eschew bandwagons. Apparently, they also eschew unnecessary expenditures.

John Holzworth

Forest Hill

The writer is a U.S. history teacher at Fallston High School.

Kudos to city's public golf courses

When I was a city councilman some 10 years ago, Baltimore City operated five public golf courses. The deficit for the five courses approached $500,000 per year. The play at the courses was limited, particularly at Carroll Park, Clifton Park and Forest Park. The city decided that a long-term lease to the Baltimore Municipal Golf Corp. was appropriate.

Although I had some hesitation as a city councilman in agreeing to privatize the golf courses, I voted for the legislation.

Within the past week I visited Clifton Park and went into the pro shop, where I saw that a round of golf costs $10 during the week and $11 on weekends. Someone 62 or over pays $8. Although I did not play at Clifton Park that day, I have played with my wife at Pine Ridge and I find the course to be in excellent condition, well-maintained and extremely well-operated.

In my view, the Baltimore Municipal Golf Corp. should be congratulated on reducing a city deficit of nearly $500,000, increasing golf opportunities for our city residents and maintaining golf at perhaps the most reasonable rates in the state.

I also understand that the Baltimore Municipal Golf Corp. regularly runs clinics for young golfers to increase enthusiasm for this wonderful sport.

Thomas Waxter Jr.

Baltimore

Remember positive things Clinton has done for U.S.

I believe all forgiving citizens should rally around President Clinton now.

I do not condone the sexual behavior by Clinton as stated in the press, but the process of running the government should not be distracted and delayed by the political maneuvering of the forces in control of the House and Senate and their efforts to keep and reinforce this control.

America, put on your thinking cap. Remember the good things Bill Clinton has done for this country. He's the president who has done the most for this country and the economy since Franklin D. Roosevelt. Speak up; support Bill Clinton.

Everett B. Johnson

Columbia

President poses a security risk

I am disappointed that so many people are willing to excuse President Clinton's "improper sexual relationship" as long as it doesn't interfere with his job performance.

Do those same people feel the same way about their spouses? Would they forgive their spouses for such behavior as long as they brought home the paycheck? Would they trust their spouse thereafter?

Repeated sexual misbehavior used to be grounds for investigation of a federal employee as a possible security risk. The investigation could result in loss of a security clearance and any job that required the clearance.

President Clinton is privy to our nation's most secret information. His securi- ty clearance should be revoked.

He should be removed from office as a security risk.

C. G. Wiechert

Laurel

Writer confuses firearms debate

I can't believe the letter from Kenneth Olthoff in The Sun on Sept. 8 ("Which arms do we have the right to bear?"). Does anyone really believe that the pro side of the firearms issue has ever advocated the private ownership of nuclear or biological weapons?

I would like Mr. Olthoff to show me just one statement from any pro-gun organization, gun club or individual espousing such an idea.

The chief discussion, for the past 10 years, has been on ownership of military style, semiautomatic rifles (not even machine guns). Now the writer wants to clear up whether we are discussing atomic bombs.

What Mr. Olthoff is seeking to do is to obfuscate the issue with some outlandish charge that he hopes the media will pick up and run with.

Instead of clearing the field for discussion of this issue's main topics, he seeks to muddy the waters and set back reasoned discourse on private ownership of personal firearms.

Our side of this issue has always stood ready to have responsible discussions.

Sanford Abrams

Baltimore

The writer is vice president of the Maryland Licensed Firearms Dealers Association Inc.

1869 Masonic Temple a deserving landmark

Hats off to the William C. Smith Co. for its decision to purchase, preserve and appropriately reuse the 1869 Masonic Temple at 225 N. Charles St. ("Masonic Temple awaits new life," Sept. 3). And congratulations to the Masons for doing the right thing by this landmark building.

It is one of Baltimore's very best, inside and out, and it deserves to be enjoyed by future generations.

John Maclay

Baltimore

Pub Date: 9/16/98