Letters to the Editor

Charter schools using public money 'uncomfortable'

I want to thank Steven Hill [Letters, Jan. 5] for reading and responding to my quotes in the paper in the Dec. 26 article, "Growing Popularity." I both meant them and said about 20 additional minutes' worth related to those ideas that did not make the cut of the article. I thought the series on expanding school choices in our region was interesting, and since Hill asked, here's a little more about what I think.

First, I think school vouchers really are the point of the charter movement and, frankly, I'm uncomfortable with skimming public money to spend in non-transparent ways on private schools. If private schools want to open up their books, I'd only then be open to further conversations about vouchers.

Second, charter schools in other states and situations are considered to be an attempt to privatize education and ultimately disinvest in our public schools. I happen to believe fervently that every single child, regardless of upbringing or background, deserves a world-class education. We all owe it to future generations to provide the best possible system of education for everyone, not just the elite or famous. We would be best served to invest all of our resources in our existing public schools and stop chasing the mirage of charters and choice.

Third, charter schools in other regions are famous for corruption, deceit and just randomly closing for business reasons. The free market is the cornerstone of the American economy and so it isn't easy to imagine that the free market in schooling is bad, but it is. When schools compete, there are winners and losers. According to the Small Business Association, 50 percent of small businesses -- which one would think schools would fall into if privatization happens -- fail in their first five years. If 50 percent of our schools failed and closed, it would have disastrous impacts not only on the existing schools but on society, not to mention it would be a colossal waste of taxpayer funds.

Thanks to Mr. Hill for alerting me to his concerns with the statements I made. I said much more, some of which I recollected here. This is an important conversation. I'm easy to get ahold of if he'd like to discuss further on the phone or in person. I spend lots of time in the public schools in Northwest Arkansas and find the students, faculty/staff, and leaders to be wonderful and dedicated to helping each learner succeed. No school is perfect, thus I want all to constantly improve, and I want all students in the state to have the high-quality teachers, incredible facilities and high expectations of success that those here are accustomed to.

I believe everyone deserves that.

Christian Goering

Farmington