To the editor:
A recent meeting in Cambridge reaffirms what many of us have been saying - the state of economic support for the public school system is crippling the continuation of one of our most prized gifts. This was a regional meeting of 18 Appalachian counties with Kern Alexander as the speaker. Public education has been fought for and provided throughout Ohio's history. Sacrifices were made to maintain the right for all to receive a free and appropriate education.
The voucher system, open enrollment and the development of charter schools for profit have led to competition for students, and thus, dollars. A certain amount of competition is good, but when I went to school and had problems I was told to tough it out, and deal with the problems. Today, it becomes easy when pressure to do work is applied for a student to opt to go to a different district, go online or just avoid the problem.
Getting along in society requires a person adapt and learn from obstacles. The public school affords the chance for students to interact with many types of people, whether they are teachers, administrators of other students.
The voucher system lets a person escape what they may dislike and learn to avoid rather than solve. Students must learn how to deal with problems.
Public schools are not perfect. Neither is the open enrollment opportunity. Certainly, going to the profit-chartered school is not. I've had many on the charter school reporting system. Only one student has graduated. Many are kicked out later in the year when they money has already been designated. These types of schools avoid the scores of testing. Public schools cannot do so. We accept residents regardless of economic condition or limitations for learning. Open enrollment allows districts to pick and choose who they accept.
Allow us a level playing field. Judge the profit-chartered schools as public schools are judged. Give equal support to the public school system, the same support given to the profit-chartered schools.
Let scores and graduation rates reflect that of all types of schools. Do we even know with chartered, online schools who's doing the work? Is there face-to-face accountability as with public schools?
We have done a good job in the past, or where would be be? Give us funds, resources and tools to continue.
Thank you for allowing me to express my thoughts from 42 years in education. HB 136 will reappear again and in some other form, but please continue to question if the purpose of these paid chartered schools is to be interested in the student, or only the money siphoned from public schools.
Let's work to improve what we've had for years instead of pouring money into someone's deep pockets.
Fred Burns
Superintendent
Toronto City Schools
