On March 13, out of 1,000 school teachers in Simi Valley, 230 were given pink slips.

I find a 23 percent reduction of teachers in Simi Valley absolutely appalling. Why not administrative layoffs or suspension of programs? Why our teachers, who work not for their small paychecks but for the love of teaching?

This country can bail out banks, which got themselves into trouble, but it can't help stop our educational system from falling apart?

I believe it is President Obama who has said on numerous occasions that our children are our future and we must all invest in making sure it is promising for them by putting them first. Laying off a quarter of all teachers in our city certainly does not call for a promising future for our children by any means.

Included in the list of 230 teachers given pink slips today is a favorite of all students and parents at Crestview Elementary in Simi Valley, Mrs. Lori Neiman.

Mrs. Neiman is one of the best teachers my son has had. She teaches from her heart. She loves her job and always goes above and beyond in everything she does. She does this for the students.

I am told Mrs. Neiman was chosen due to "seniority." What kind of logic is that?

We must all act with intelligence in this matter and act quickly to save the jobs of teachers such as Mrs. Neiman. What a complete loss it will be to lose such a wonderful teacher at Crestview Elementary.

I am taking a stand, along with every parent, teacher and student, against this atrocity. I am asking elected officials to hear my plea to shield our children from the current economic conditions of our country. Heidi Stokka Simi Valley