It was once again sad to see the Simi Valley Acorn use a complete lack of facts and critical thinking in writing their opinion piece.

Had they checked their facts they would have found that the March 4 education funding cut protests were originally started by college students upset with the budget cuts and tuition increases they have been hit with.

No K-12 public education students stayed out of class that day unless they were held out by a parent. Most teachers who participated did so on their own time before school began by passing out fliers and speaking with parents about education budget cuts.

Yes, teachers have constitutional freedoms.

Also, many parents, students and teachers attended after-school rallies.

Many parents brought their children, as is their right as a parent, because even a 6-year-old can tell when the size of their class doubles. No students were forced to do anything by teachers or their associations, as the Acorn falsely stated.

In terms of teachers getting raises and increases to their benefits, so do all employees.

The Acorn may not be aware but there is a thing called inflation. Two years ago gasoline was a $1.50 a gallon; today it is $3. The cost of medical benefits has increased by 8 percent to 20 percent a year locally.

All local teachers have seen their out-of-pocket costs increase, and, yes, it also costs school districts more. Basically they are paying more for healthcare and getting less each year, like everyone else. (Someone has to pay for the 39 top employees at Anthem/ Blue Cross who make over a million dollars a year).

In terms of CalSTRS, California teachers pay 8 percent into their pension; they do not receive Social Security. It is my understanding that the decision to keep CalSTRS and not go into Social Security was a decision made under Gov. Ronald Reagan.

If the Acorn has an issue with that they should drive up to the Reagan Library and lodge a complaint.

In the future the Acorn should actually do some journalism and write things based on facts and not just what they think is correct.
Arleigh Kidd
Simi Valley