No to public funds for private schools

In his “State of the State” speech, Gov. Sean Parnell said he wants a state constitutional amendment to take public funds and give them to private schools. I’ve said it before in this space (Feb. 28, 2013, “Chiming in on changing the Alaska Constitution) that sending public funds to private schools is a bad idea. Consider this an open letter to Governor Parnell.

Sir, if I may address you directly; bluntly speaking, public funds need to go to public schools. The notion that diverting public funds to private schools somehow equals more choice is an illusion. The choices are already there and have been for years: home schooling, private and, of course, our robust national network of public schools, which includes a bevy of charter school models.

Public schools are funded through state and federal tax dollars. As such, the bottom line is redirecting public funding meant from public schools toward private schools is not in the best interest of the majority of Alaska students who presently attend public schools.

In Alaska our public schools are operating on a frayed shoestring. Taking those funds is cutting a few more strands away from a system that hasn’t seen funding increases even sizable enough to cover growth in utility costs.

This idea seems aimed at undercutting and not aiding families that rely on the public school system to educate their children.

The state’s interest should be to make sure all students from preschool to high school get a well-rounded education. Supporting the public school system should be your No. 1 concern, sir. Your role as governor is not to kowtow to political special interest groups bent on undermining public education.

Certainly, we can improve the state’s public education system. This may be a challenge, but it is not an insurmountable problem.

Governor, you dropped the ball when you suggested cutting funds would help fix the struggles facing our public schools. They need every dime. Have you missed the headlines and news stories about pending teacher layoffs around the state? And it isn’t private school teachers who are getting the ax.

Public, private, home school — all these educational systems provide vital opportunities to students in the Valley and around Alaska. Public and home school students already receive public funds. Adding private school students to that list is estimated to cost $99.7 million for one year.

Bleeding our public schools to death in front of our eyes while wringing your hands saying something must be done about our public schools is disingenuous. Our public school system must be supported, and where real problems are identified, we must make repairs. But a state constitutional amendment to siphon off public funding meant for the public school system and giving it to for-profit schools is a grave mistake that seems aimed at harming, not helping, Alaska’s thousands of public school students.

Alaskans need a leader who will stand up to special interests and stop the bleeding of public funds to private schools.

Mr. governor, you could be that leader. It is not a sign of weakness to admit a mistake. With all due respect, sir, cut those strings binding you to a bad idea, stand up and join our teachers, administrators, students and parents in working to make Alaska’s public school system be the best in the nation. It is a worthy goal. Wasn’t your mother a public school teacher?

We need to find ways of attracting and recruiting teachers to our schools, not lay them and other staff off like Anchorage is proposing to do. They need good pay and a healthy budget to operate those schools. Many naysayers think they are overpaid for what they do. I say we don’t pay them enough. Chuck the shoestring budgets and replace them with a thick rope of a budget that will never shrink or break. Those schools can then maintain the buildings and obtain the tools needed to truly educate our state’s young people, not just train for years on how to take a test. Give those young people a well-rounded, proper education for life in the modern world of the 21st century.

Well-rounded education means not just reading, writing and arithmetic. It means history, geography, art, music, science and technology. Our students need exposure to these subjects and much more.

There is an old saying we used in the Army: improvise, adapt and overcome. All the services have a version of this saying. We use it a lot. We believe in it wholeheartedly and it has been the means of plucking victory from the jaws of defeat. I believe this idea could help you in your decisions when it comes to the matter of our public school system.

Our teachers and staff are dedicated to education in spite of the limits of regulation, low pay and uncertain budgets imposed on them. They somehow endure, teach and impact young lives. Case in point: the Colony High School marching band of Palmer, the first and only band from Alaska to march in the Tournament of Roses Parade. That took the combined efforts of teachers, staff, students, families and the community. It was the proud result of our public schools. That shows dedication and spirit, don’t you think? It shows we love and value our schools as a community resource — flaws and all.

So with all due respect, sir, I again ask that you rescind your support for this constitutional amendment and work toward making our public school system the envy of the nation. The ball is back in your court, Mr. governor. Pick up the ball and drive on. I hope and trust you are up to the challenge.

Wasilla resident Daniel D. Grota retired from the U.S. Army after more than 21 years of service.