Merit pay for Nevada teachers? Not so fast

Your Tuesday editorial promoting teacher merit pay misses the usual points.

First, the vast majority of teachers want their students to succeed. Standardized test scores are just one assessment tool of many varied approaches toward determining whether or not a student has mastered the standards established by the district and state. To simply link teacher pay to student performance on one particular test is narrow-minded.

Second, when are those who promote merit pay for teachers ever going to get it through their thick skulls that student performance is greatly influenced by the students themselves and supported by the interest that their parents take in their education? Try tying merit pay to that crucial ingredient of education.

There is a good reason for paying teachers according to seniority. Those who remain in education, who demonstrate a true commitment to the education of our future generations, should be rewarded. How do we keep good teachers teaching? By paying them wages that are comparable to their experience and training, as well as treating them as the professional people they are.

GLENN SCHULTZ

HENDERSON

Housing crunch

To the editor:

One of every 200 homes is in foreclosure here in Las Vegas — and it’s getting worse by the day.

In 2003, I refinanced my new house to a 5.5 percent fixed mortgage. In the process, Mr. Big Mortgage Guy asked me if I wanted to buy another house. I said no, because I was living on Social Security and savings. He said that was no problem, and after five minutes he approved me for a $300,000 loan, as long as I put 20 percent down. I declined.

Today my house has lost at least 20 percent of its value, and it’s still going downhill. But I don’t care. My mortgage is $783 a month; taxes are another $120.

It’s now obvious that the mortgage brokers and loan officers of this world were actually no better than used car salesmen and gypsies, trying to seduce people into suffocating debt.

I pray the government doesn’t bail out lenders or owners. They deserve what they got.

Robert Duggan

HENDERSON

To the editor:

As a long-time supporter of the Lied Animal Shelter, which would not even exist without Janie Greenspun Gale, I was disappointed to read the Tuesday story “Activists pressure big donor.”

When it comes to animal activists, everyone seems to have an opinion. Those on the front lines, such as Janie, are constantly second-guessed. If animals are euthanized, the no-kill group is up in arms. If animals are not euthanized and some consequently get sick, another group demands Janie’s resignation. It has been like this from the beginning.

Janie consistently attempts to do what is best for the animals and the Animal Foundation. No one has given that organization more of their time or money. Many of those who attack Janie or the foundation do nothing but criticize.

I for one support Janie totally, and I thank her for her tireless dedication to this cause.

Albert G. Marquis

LAS VEGAS

Power play

To the editor:

In answer to B. Christie’s Monday letter regarding Nevada Power’s “high costs,” I complained to the Public Utilities Commission when the power company asked for its 11.6 percent rate increase that was effective June 1. My complaint to the PUC went on deaf ears with no acknowledgement — and, I’m sure, no consideration.

To my understanding, the PUC hasn’t turned down a Nevada Power rate increase request in more than 10 years. Is the public aware that Nevada Power is again asking for another rate increase to be effective Jan. 1?

I, too, am a senior and keep my thermostat at 80 degrees (hot), and my monthly electric bills are $340. I don’t have a pool and I emptied my hot tub. It’s a decision to use air conditioning and cut my groceries, or to possibly die in the desert heat.

Nevada Power doesn’t care about seniors or low-income people. My income isn’t so low as to get energy assistance, but it isn’t so high as to be gouged, either. It’s sad that the PUC doesn’t represent Nevada residents. I really would like to know what their agenda is.

Shirlye Stewart

HENDERSON

Stadium seating

To the editor:

A competing arena on Bally’s property (Review-Journal, Wednesday)?

The downtown arena complex proposed by REI and supported by the Las Vegas City Council will bring much-needed improvement to a blighted area, provide housing and services to the community, and add to the city instead of padding the very deep pockets of Harrah’s Entertainment and the Anschutz Entertainment Group. Las Vegas needs the REI project and its multi-faceted benefits

GALE BLANCHARD

HENDERSON

Fast lane

To the editor:

It’s a shame that Review-Journal Publisher Sherman Frederick possesses such a fearful attitude about the Las Vegas Beltway — and it’s unfortunate he thinks the rest of us will embrace his frame of mind (column, Aug. 19 Review-Journal).

If his plan of putting traffic cameras up to “watch us” becomes reality, perhaps he hopes he won’t be alone in dread when driving on his “Highway to Hell.”

To address the “experiment” he conducted, it’s just as dangerous to travel 50 mph when everyone else is going 70 mph, as it is to go 70 mph when everyone else is doing 50 mph. I’m thankful I was spared encountering him that day — he was the one endangering other drivers.

Going with the flow of traffic, whether it is faster or slower than the posted speed limit, is probably the safest thing to do.

If there is a traffic jam, does he insist on keeping his cruise control at 55 mph?

For all drivers who think it is too “scary” to drive on the 215, maybe the best plan of action is to stick to the surface streets on the way to bingo. Then they can take their time and not defeat the purpose of the beltway.

Isn’t it supposed to expedite our commutes?

Amy Davis

LAS VEGAS

Pencil pushers

To the editor:

After reading about the need for “donations” to help pay for school supplies that are sorely needed, it strikes me that if I were one of the gaming corporations, or a major “player” in the community, I would be embarrassed to tears at even the mere notion that our schools are underfunded, even for the most basic of necessities.

And to couple that with the idea that our teachers, underpaid as they are, must take money out of their own pockets to purchase these supplies is patently reprehensible.

This school system can and should be the model of the nation.

How members of this business community can look themselves in their collective mirrors is just beyond belief. You should all be ashamed.

KEN BUTCHER

LAS VEGAS