Tyler Hancock, Minot

So in reading the painfully biased article “Parents call for school choice” (nice title, by the way; are you claiming that all parents are calling for school choice? Because it sounds like you’re claiming that all parents are calling for school choice), I noticed some issues. First of all, you obfuscate a major issue with the bill by using vague language: “the fiscal note for the bill would be closer to $61 million than the $24 million listed for the bill for the biennium.” Why not just say the bill would cost taxpayers $61 million? Because it’s too obvious and clear? Why not say that the bill’s sponsors are misrepresenting the cost to taxpayers? Why not be honest? Is this journalism, or not?

Also, if private schools (especially faith-based private schools) want to enjoy public funding, then they need to open themselves up to all of the other realities of being a public commodity: paying taxes (that should include their constituent churches; if they’re going to throw religion into the publicly-funded conversation, then their religion should provide their share into the public fund), allowing everyone (LGBTQ, atheists, students with special needs, etc.) equal access to their educational services, offering religion classes that cover all religions, with an equal focus on both Christian and non-Christian religions, and so on.

Private schools don’t get to continue to operate in whatever way they see fit if they decide to become publicly funded. They can either BE public entities and enter into the arena of public scrutiny, or they can remain private, and keep praying for more money.

Also, let me directly address Amber Vibeto and say a massive “no” to basically everything you claimed about public education. “Competition creates excellence”? That hasn’t worked for the diminishing median IQ, questionable humanity, and poor research skills of our politicians, despite all of the competition for those positions. It’s patently untrue. I feel like I shouldn’t need to say this, but, as much of a shock as this may come to some people, education isn’t a business: it’s a public service. It gets better when we increase funding for it.

As a teacher for the past 15 years, it insults me when someone shows such a fundamental misunderstanding of the issues facing education. Maybe, just maybe, you should all consider talking to educators about how to improve education, instead of politicians.

Also, ask yourself this: if a private school were opened by Satanists, would you all be equally excited about providing them with public funds? If you say no, or even stop to think about it, then you all should seriously reconsider your current position.