Buses needed for programs in Paso

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• Citizens need to act to save our schools

  Citizens need to act to save our schools

  How many school days should there be in a school year: 180, 174, 172, or less or more?

  Paso Robles pupils have usually gone to their public schools 180 days a year. But this school year they’re going six fewer days, just 174. Next school year they’ll lose two more days, leaving only 172. Is that enough? Is 180 enough?

  For two weeks this month, the pupils went to school only on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. They also didn’t go to school today. And on June 4 they’ll miss their sixth day of the year.

• Paso Robles to buy a new 30-passenger bus for city route

  Paso Robles to buy a new 30-passenger bus for city route

  The city of Paso Robles will purchase a new 30-passenger bus for its Paso Robles Express routes.

  The Ford F-550, complete with wheelchair access and a bike rack, costs about $128,000 and will be paid for by a state grant.

  Many of the city’s buses need to be replaced, Administrative Services Director Jim Throop said, but additions have been put on hold during the recession. In fact, the city would need another five buses to fully meet its minimum requirements for operating its transit system. After new buses are purchased, the city could begin to sell its old buses for surplus.

• Move to cut sign language classes at Paso Robles High puts teens in a bind

  Move to cut sign language classes at Paso Robles High puts teens in a bind

  Having studied sign language since fifth grade, Marina Perry planned to one day become an interpreter for the deaf. But then she learned that Paso Robles High School planned to eliminate its American Sign Language program. Nine students in the program spoke out at Tuesday night’s school board meeting.

• YouTube hitmakers share secrets at middle school

  YouTube hitmakers share secrets at middle school

  Santa Lucia Middle School children got an up-close and personal taste of the media they love so well — Internet videos; more specifically, YouTube, on Wednesday, May 16. Guest presenters Zach “Final Cut King” King and Aaron “FX Pro” Benitez came to Cambria to share their story about making a living from their short films.

  Dan Hartzell, who runs the YMCA after-school program at Santa Lucia, found a “viral video” that the kids were all excited about, “Jedi Kittens Strike Back.” Because 23 computers at the middle school have the “Final Cut Pro” program used to create the videos, “Hartzell contacted Coast Unified technology guru, Henry Danielson, to see if he could contact the videographers to come to Cambria.

  “Zach and Aaron were thrilled to come up and talk to the kids. We were excited because it gives so much more credence to what we’re trying to do for the kids by providing them this type of technology and software. Here are guys making a living at this — this is what we want kids to learn, the possibilities

• Letters to the Editor 1/11

  Letters to the Editor 1/11

  Vote yes to ban bags

  The Integrated Waste Management Authority should vote to support the single-use bag ordinance today. This ordinance has been thoughtfully crafted with significant public and business input to maximize environmental and economic benefits. It has the support of the California Grocers Association and the San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce for a simple reason: It will save businesses money. (Or “job creators,” in election season speak.)

  By passing this ordinance, we will stop sending more than $5 million per year out of our county’s economy that we spend on single-use plastic and paper bags and keep it locally. While six months ago, all IWMA board members were in agreement on this issue, some have chosen to cave to the demands of the American Chemistry Council and their “Keep Bags Free SLO” campaign. A robo call here, a misleading ad there, and interestingly enough the mindsets of some of our local elected officials switch from pragmatic problem-solving to re-election strategy.