Dave Begel – On Milwaukee
Dave Begel is a columnist for On Milwaukee and he wants to terminate the Milwaukee Parental Choice Program. Begel argues that ending the voucher program will send $200 million back to the Milwaukee Public School District. Indeed, that would amount to a 17 percent increase in the district’s budget. A very large sum, just as Begel concludes.
Begel asks readers to imagine the possibilities: “Two adults in every early education classroom. A return of art and music programs. Guidance counselors in every school to help students chart their course.”
But Begel seems to forget that all 24,915 voucher students would also return. That represents a 32 percent increase in the district’s student population.
While the Milwaukee Public School District spent $15,253 per pupil in 2012-13, the voucher was worth $6,442. Factoring in the budget and student population increase, the district would see per-pupil spending drop by $1,807. If it couldn’t afford two teachers per class and art and music programs and guidance counselors at $15,253 per kid, it certainly won’t be able to afford all that at $13,446.
Critics should be careful when arguing that school choice drains funds from public schools. Since pretty much every school choice program receives fewer dollars per pupil, nothing would drain public school coffers faster than terminating choice programs and sending the kids back to district schools.
Grade: Needs Improvement
Tulsa Public School District
Six years ago, the school district in Tulsa, Okla. sued to put a stop to charter schools statewide. But the district made an abrupt and welcome U-turn last week. From now on, the Tulsa Public School District will be cooperating with all three Tulsa-area charter schools to help them improve.
School board member Gary Percefull said, “We’ve come from a place where we were opposed to the state’s Charter Schools Act and were litigating. Now we’re embracing our charter partners.”
Charter schools are looking forward to the new cooperative agreement as well. Eric Doss, director of the Tulsa School of Arts and Sciences, said the new agreement would allow charters and the district to “share ideas, facilities, and funds.”
The focus in Tulsa is now squarely on student achievement. That is great news.
Grade: Satisfactory
Districts that jail and fine parents for “stealing” free public education
Soledad O’Brien’s recent story on “Stealing Education” shows us public education isn’t always inclusive, that it sometimes segregates and that districts occasionally put the bottom line ahead of students’ needs. Across the country, hundreds of parents and guardians are accused of stealing free public education each year. Some of the parents interviewed by O’Brien faced jail time; others, severe financial penalties.
One parent was charged with stealing “almost $40,000 worth of education” for her two sons over a three-year period. The children lived with their grandmother – who lived within the district and paid taxes to support the local school – during the week. But the district said that wasn’t allowed.
In the end, the woman settled with the district and agreed to pay $13,000 in restitution – or $2,167 per child per year. That is likely more than she would have paid in taxes to live within the school’s boundary … assuming she could afford a home there in the first place.
It’s true these parents aren’t paying into the local system. But the districts demand payments from these parents that are significantly higher than the taxes collected from locals. They are being exclusive, segregating based on class (or at the very least, based on how much you are willing to pay for a home) and putting their bottom line above the needs of students.
Wealthy, exclusive public school enclaves likely aren’t going anywhere. But they will continue to shatter the myth that public schools educate everyone. They’ll also highlight good reasons why we need to give parents meaningful, legal, options.
Grade: Needs Improvement
