It seemed Kevin Kiley did not have Congressional duties to perform, so he put in his oar on Governor Newsom’s two particular laws signed over two weekends ago.

Kevin Kiley was an educator before becoming the Congressman for California District 3, Sierra County’s district for Congress. I have a different view as an educator from what the Congressman put forth. For one thing, students are portrayed in a very negative light, with the Congressman saying that, “Students are now free to talk back, disobey instructions and otherwise cause chaos in the classroom”. This is a blanket accusation of students behavior and the skills of teachers who teach in said classrooms. And, “It will make it harder to recruit teachers and further erode the quality of education in California”.

Keeping up with what really is a block to recruiting and retaining teachers is the support system and tax structure that allows rich districts with money to pay living wages (without the teacher dipping into their own pocket for student supplies). In those rich districts, schools are built and maintained so that students have drinkable water and temperatures conducive to learning. The poor districts have mold and broken plumbing systems. The poor school districts are unable to maintain and fix the basic building infrastructure that allows safe and comfortable shelter for students who are to learn in those buildings. The number of students given to each teacher is also a concern for those who have the responsibility of meeting each individual student’s need. The Sierra County public schools do not have classes that are bursting with more students than a teacher should have. Teachers with high numbers of students cannot give the kind of teaching needed by each student. It is acknowledged by adults in the community that teachers who have a lower number of students will be able to give the kind of individual guidance each student needs. Private schools use this as one of their selling points to attract enrollment at their schools.

Student behavior does improve with a school building that is a reflection of the importance a community puts on schools.

Staff that is given wages that are in line with the education and training demanded of California teachers, and the resources to use for teaching, will be empowered to do their best with an environment that supports the students and the staff. Teachers guide students to be able to think, problem-solve, understand information, and even inspire imagination for creating individually, as well as with others. There is respect. The students understand this. You can’t fool them.

The second issue complained of by Congressman Kiley seems right out of the “rich get richer and poor get poorer” saga. With communities unable to meet their basic water needs, Congressman Kiley is upset that the rich in water and other wealth have to pay for what they want is what? Unfair? That they should be willing to cut back on their water use is harming them and the manicured lawns that use that water? They are eating cake while also eating the bread of the poor. Water policy must factor many competing demands, including the fish that live and reproduce in it.

Congressman, do your work in the Congress where we had been left for three weeks with no second in line to the President because your caucus was feuding. Work on keeping our towns’ populations safe. There is much to do in Washington, D.C., and that is the job you were elected to do.