'DARE' RITE SHOWS EFFECT OF PROTEST

Santa Maria elementary school teachers continued their protest against the
school district Thursday by skipping a Drug Abuse Resistance Education
graduation ceremony.

More than 60 Rice School sixth-graders and their parents gathered at the
school Thursday evening for the ceremony, which recognizes the students who
have completed the program. But the three teachers whose classes were
graduating stayed at home.

Last week, the teachers' union, Santa Maria Elementary Association, asked
its members not to do any work beyond that required by an existing contract
with Santa Maria-Bonita School District. The move comes after mediation
efforts failed to settle contract negotiations last month.

Speaking through district spokesman Maggie White, who did not attend the
event, Principal Richard Blowers said the students and parents were very
happy with the event. It was a packed house, White said.

But the teachers' decision not to attend the ceremony did not sit well with
the police officers who work closely with the school through the program.

"The police department in no way wants to become embroiled in the current
labor issues with the school district," said Santa Maria Police Chief Dan
Shiner. "On the other hand we know that parents and children, not to
mention our own DARE officers, were disappointed that the teachers, as a
sign of protest, opted not to attend the DARE graduation."

Shiner said that while the department was disappointed, it recognized the
teachers' right to protest.

"But we'd certainly otherwise be hopeful that the protest would not push
upon such important issues as the message of staying away from drugs and
making good decisions and stay- ing out of youth violence," he said.

White said she could understand why the officers would be disappointed by
the lack of support.

"They put a lot of work into those lessons and putting together those
graduations," she said.

The event demonstrated that many school activities will continue even
though many teachers opted to drop all activities not included in their
contracts.

"Some of the clubs that depend on teachers will drop to the wayside, but
other things like school site committees and textbook committees will
continue with or without teacher input," White said.

White added that some teachers have opted to continue with their volunteer
efforts and other extra activities for which they receive hourly pay above
and beyond their contracted salaries.

"I know there are a lot of teachers out there who are still helping their
students outside of class and who are there for their students," she said.