School vouchers and cyber charter tuition payments are causing irreparable harm to public schools. They take money away from public schools and funnel it to people who don’t need it. Most surveys show that around two-thirds of voucher money goes to students whose families were already paying for private school. Private schools take only the students they want. Public schools must take all students.
“Tax money should follow the student,” say some advocates of vouchers. However, do their parents pay the full tax equivalent? In addition, cyber schooling, like home schooling, is a family choice and should not be a responsibility of the community.
We need the best and the brightest students in the future irrespective of their family income. The current industrial age requires skilled workers. There is no more mindless assembly line work in this century. Workers need computer skills and engineering skills in our future employment.
The future needs great public schools. Stop giving away taxpayer dollars to private schools and cyber schools. It is public schools that need the money.
Dianne Mailloux
Scottdale