Josephine writes:
It's important to recognize that the budget issues Mt. Lebanon faces would exist regardless of whether we were engaged in the high school renovation project.No kidding, Josephine. This is why we have been resistant to a $113.3 million project at this time - because of these budget issues. Your problems are not because of charter schools. Believe me.
3 comments:
While Mrs. Posti and all the board members deserve our thanks for serving on the board that doesn't mean they get a free pass when offering absurd statements.
Mrs. Posti writes: "Public education is working in Pennsylvania yet public education is under assault,... "
Assualt, really assualt? Take a look at the 5 year budget forecast posted earlier here in Elaine's blog. The school district's demand for taxpayer dollars rises from $78 million in 2012 to $96 million in 5 years.
Review the districts expenditures over the last 10,15, 20 years. Has there ever been a down year? If that's assualt, please somebody start beating me now!
Here's a question. What business can produce less and less product (in the school district's case - students) while at the same time raise the cost year after year to produce that product.
Eventually, consumers will begin to look for more affordable, comparable products. This applies whether the item is cars, TVs, clothing or yes... even schools.
There's a reason for consumer's growing interest in charter schools and vouchers which the PSBA doesn't want you to think about.
Dick Saunders
From Mrs. Posti's blog entry:
"Charter and cyber charter schools are not “free” as sometimes advertised. They are funded by tax dollars from local school districts."
And Public School is not free. That money you're allocating for a new school? That plan you're trying to put together without a public referendum? Yea, that's taxpayer money. That comes from taxes paid by people.
Then there's my favorite:
"We do not know what the actual cost of educating a cyber or charter school student is. If their cost is $5,000 per student, they are netting about $5,000. from the Mt. Lebanon taxpayer. "
I would think that instead of condemning the charter school for being able to educate a child at a lower cost, the school board would be interested in how the charter school educates the child at a lower cost so that they could, in turn, use those tactics to lower their own costs.
Another point she makes is just as invalid:
"Charter and cyber schools are not required to conduct a certified financial audit performed by an independent CPA. The state auditor general does not conduct audits of cyber and charter schools."
and
"There is no process to correct or shut down a failing charter school or a charter school that has legal violations."
That's right... from a school board perspective. That's not right if they are a public company or if they have stock holders. Plus, they're a business. Businesses aren't usually run to go bankrupt. If the charter school is failing, people will yank their kids out and put them in another education solution. Remember, they're not chained to the charter school like kids are in a failing public school. It's called the free market. Her statement makes it sound like they're stuffing their pockets with cash and running away. Really? Is that what charter schools have been doing?
I would expect something more from someone in Mrs. Posti's position.
The person who's fighting against having competition usually is the person who has something to fear. If Mt Lebanon's schools are top notch and as good as can be, I can't see why they would waste their time with fear.
Jack regarding your favorite from Mrs. Posti's post: "We do not know what the actual cost of educating a cyber or charter school student is. If their cost is $5,000 per student, they are netting about $5,000. from the Mt. Lebanon taxpayer."
Your comment that the district should try to figure how the charter school does it cheaper is a good one!
Although, perhaps, since Mrs. Posti suggests the charter school is netting $5,000 from Mt. Lebanon taxpayers, she might take her thought to the next logical step.
Whom does she propose get to keep that extra $5,000? She doesn't exactly say in her comments though I'm betting she believes the MTLSD should keep it! In that case read Myth #4 closely in the 15 Myths About School Choice" on this blog.
Dick Saunders
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