Learning an Important Lesson

Parents of students at San Diego's Marvin Elementary School decided that the school grounds needed to be cleaned up. Since the school district cut funds for gardeners, weeds and grass have grown with little control. So parents banded together to clear up the mess. But that has the union for the laid-off landscapers angry. "If people really want to help, they should be writing their elected officials about the budget," said Erik Olson of the California Schools Employees Association. And in fact, allowing parents to do the work seems to violate the contract the school district has with the union. So far, the school says it won't tell the parents to stop clearing weeds and trash, but the union has asked it to.