No reason families would not choose public schools?
But, obviously, there are plenty who do, and that’s fine. Unto each his own. But there aren’t many days that go by that I don’t read something that reminds me why I live in Wilson County. Yesterday was no exception. The Music City’s paper of record, the Nashville City Paper, ran a story yesterday headlined “School board faces decisions.” Here’s the nuts-and bolts (added emphasis mine):
The idea of closing smaller schools has been discussed as one way of cutting the district’s operating costs.
However, enrollment will likely not be the only factor in deciding which – if any – schools must be shut down.
Board members voted Tuesday to define their values related to schools of choice, some of which are the smaller schools in the district.
Schools of choice include schools that provide an alternative option to zoned schools, such as magnet schools and optional enrollment schools.
Those schools are also, according to the board’s newly approved policy, a tool for creating school populations that reflect the demographics of the city.
“I want to drive the private schools in East Nashville out of business,” board member Lisa Hunt said Tuesday night, explaining she wants there to be no reason families would not choose public schools.
There are so many ways to answer that.
There will always be reasons families don’t choose public schools, especially in Nashville, Tennessee. This is not necessarily a slam on public schools, students who attend public schools, their parents, or the teachers. These are MY reasons for sending MY child to a private school.
1. Speaking as parent of a private school parent, my child will not be used in social experiments, or part of a rigged school composition that reflects the demographics of the city. A public school ought to be attended by the children in that school’s neighborhood. Period.
2. I want Bible curriculum to be a regular part of my child’s education. Do your public schools provide that, Ms. Hunt?
3. I don’t want my child shown a video that tries to normalize homosexuality.
4. I don’t want my child used as a pawn for raising taxes.
5. I don’t want my child in a school system where corporal punishment is banned, because one of the cornerstones of a well-run school is good discipline. Even if seldom used, which it should be, the paddle is still an effective deterrent to unruly behavior. I know, because I remember those days.
6. I want my child to attend a private Christian school because I know that what he is taught at home will not be undermined at school.
7. Parents who place their children in private schools are, on average, more involved in their children’s lives and educations. I prefer my child to have as his peers the children of those parents.
8. Private schools get nothing from the taxpayers. They have to raise every penny they spend, and therefore tend to be better stewards of their funds than public schools. And if a private school’s income isn’t what the school wants, that school is forced to do what families do — prioritize its budget and make cuts that are in the best interests of the students, and not politically motivated.
9. Because private schools operate in the private sector, they know they have to deliver a top-shelf product. Their motivation for being the best they can be is simple: if they fail to deliver, they lose business. That’s the whole concept of “school choice.” Private schools therefore get punished for mediocrity. Public schools don’t. (Yes, there are some fantastic public schools out there, notwithstanding.)
10. Our private school believes that my wife and I are smart enough to be able to feed our child a good breakfast and otherwise ensure his good nutrition.
11. I don’t want my child taught “safe-sex.” (I’ll take this opportunity to remind my readers that abstinence works every time it’s tried.) Sex education belongs in the home. That’s the job of parents.
12. I don’t want my child quizzed about his sexual behavior at school.
13. I don’t want someone like Lisa Hunt in a position of authority over the school my child attends.
(Hat tip: Nathan Moore and Sarah Moore.)
