Capistrano a good example for Marin school districts

Ross Valley School District officials have proposed Measure E, a parcel tax to raise additional monies to fund the district’s services including educator salaries. It serves about 1,750 students. The proposal is not without some controversy given RVSD’s recent history struggling to find the necessary resources to keep operating effectively.

The fundamental issue is that the public school districts are inherently inefficient, given their small size. Marin County, with only 22,123 public school students, has 18 school districts. By comparison, Capistrano Unified School District in southern Orange County serves over 54,000 students. For those who would assert that Marin public schools are better, the facts say otherwise.

Capistrano has 40 campuses on the California “distinguished schools” list, 11 national “blue ribbon” schools, 19 “Golden Bell” programs and 36 California “business honor roll” schools, among many other award-winning schools and programs.

The district has a graduation rate of 97.2%, much higher than California’s average of 85.1%. Every district high school is ranked in the top 1,000 U.S. high schools by U.S. News and World Report.

Marin’s numerous school districts could eliminate costly redundancy, reduce overall operating costs and become more efficient through consolidation without sacrificing quality.

— Bill Ramsey, San Rafael

Don’t let Marin group undermine faith of voters

I read with some disbelief Francis Drouillard’s recent letter accusing Marin residents of authoritarianism for exercising their First Amendment rights in protesting actions of the new presidential administration.

Things became much clearer to me a few days later when I learned that Drouillard is one of the leaders of the Marin Election Integrity Committee, which I believe is taking actions that could lead to a trust breakdown in our society’s ability to hold a fair election (“Marin GOP’s new leadership dominated by ‘election integrity’ faction,” April 20).

I believe that undermining the faith of voters in free and fair elections is a step toward having authoritarian politicians around the world. I urge everyone to be on the alert to efforts by groups like this.

— Michael Sillman, Larkspur

Do more for safety on Marin’s narrow, hilly roads

Driving on our Marin roads can be a challenge, as many are narrow, often one lane and hilly — sometimes with blind curves.

Years ago, a car I was driving slid down a steep slope after I swerved to avoid an oncoming car in the middle of the road.

Luckily, a tree stopped me before my car gained too much speed. I was able to climb out the window. The other car was not even aware of what had happened and just continued on.

Since then, a curb was added to prevent such hill slides from happening again.

Over the many years in such an environment, those of us living in the hills have observed important safety rules.

Always stay to the right, especially around a blind curve. Slow down, and always expect a car around the turn. City-mounted mirrors at blind curves help greatly.

When driving on a narrow road at night, turn down high-beam headlights.

They can temporarily blind an oncoming driver. Especially on narrow roads, the city should create adequate signed turnouts that are level with the paving, so cars can safely use them. Pedestrians should walk on the side of the road (not in the middle).

They should move in a single-file line when hearing a coming car.

Safety should be our goal.

— Esther Cherk, Mill Valley

Moving commentary on Holocaust memories

I would like to thank Kira Beer for her recently published Marin Voice commentary (“The weight and gift of remembrance,” April 22) about being a Jewish American today.

We must never forget what happened during the Holocaust. I was moved to read that being the granddaughter of two survivors is a point of honor — for those in her family who lived through it and those who did not.

This was elegantly written. No one should be allowed to bury or rewrite this important history.

Please continue to remember and tell the stories.

— Jade Leong, Mill Valley