http://www.costofwar.com/
The Real Cost of War
Bill Berkowitz, September 23, 2003
A few nights ago, we took our granddaughter, who recently moved back to Oakland from Oklahoma, to her middle-school orientation. Eleven years ago I sat in that very same auditorium with my daughter -- who was then entering the seventh grade -- and listened to the principal, her assistant and various representatives from the Parent's Association talk about the students' new and exciting journey.
Oakland's schools have never been financially flush and the school district's budget woes have accumulated over the past few years. With Oakland schools now in financial receivership, I expected some belt tightening -- but the news was far worse for my granddaughter and for our small corner of public education:
The average class size has once again risen to between 28 and 32 students;
There is only one counselor for the entire student body, all 980 students; and
The only electives available for entering sixth graders are Art and Band.
http://www.guerrillanews.com/war_on_...m/doc2990.html