Schools, children pay price for education funding mess

Schools, children pay pricefor education funding mess
EDITOR:
My return to the reality of public education as a newly elected school board member has been a real eye-opener.
I retired in 1993 when an opportunity to return to counseling in an industry setting was offered to me. The five years I spent at an assembly plant was very enjoyable and enlightening. Hard-working adults are willing to pay for their children's education, but they want to know where the money is spent and see tangible results.
When it comes to paying money out of their own pocket for education, the answer for many adults without children of school age is a resounding "no" to school levies. Don't raise my taxes. It's someone else's responsibility.
Our state legislators refuse to follow the Constitution of the state and adequately fund public education. Their answer is to sanction institutions called charter and cyber schools and fund them by taking $5,236 (this school year) per child who enrolls in these alternative schools from the inadequate state aid given to local districts. If you have computers, a skills test and an Internet connection, you can start a school. Go to the state, give them a course of study and collect millions.
My first concern is for the children. Not just the ones who attend these schools with the belief that they are getting an adequate education but for the children in the public schools whose education is being stripped of badly needed resources as the money is redirected toward schools that are not held accountable for program or content or are open to public fiscal review. If they are, there is no evidence in the local newspapers. Do they accept all pupils? What kind of opportunities do they have for advanced placement? Are they providing state mandated services for pupils with disabilities?
What kind of jobs are their students getting once they graduate? What is done to prepare them for work? How are their graduates doing in college or technical schools?
My local district receives approximately $1,000 in state aid per child and our taxpayers subsidize the balance when parents decide to enroll their child in the alternative private school. It seems like an unfair advantage to me. It also seems like a local property owner's taxpayer suit waiting to happen. While the taxpayers expect to pay for public roads and highways, they do not expect to pay for private drives and parking lots.
Public schools are being held accountable by the state for every test they administer, every computer they buy, every class they teach and every child who decides to stay home and not attend school. The inquiries I've made indicate that charter schools can hire noncertified staff, pay minimal or below average wages, allow their pupils to come and go as they please and pocket the difference in their costs as profit for the corporation operating these schools.
I am in favor of school choice. I believe fair competition can make all schools stronger as long as we have a level playing field and the taxpayers are not fooled into believing that all their property taxes are going toward their local schools.
SCOTT LEHMAN, member
Howland Local Board of Education
Flag-burners diminished themselves, not Old Glory
EDITOR:
The person or persons who recently burned the flag flying at half mast in the Poland Cemetery did bring discouragement to me. However, in no way were they able to destroy what and who Old Glory represents. Whatever the condition of their heart, our Star-Spangled Banner still waves.
I see no heroism in a book of matches. I, along with those who love America, salute the true heroes of our land. Those who are willing to serve you and me by defending our nation and protecting our freedoms.
From the mountains, to the valleys, to the oceans white with foam, may God continue to bless America, my home, sweet home.
BEVERLY LANDGRAFF
Struthers