Douglas County School Board wants their district to provide vouchers for other schooling options. There are two significant fallacies with this idea. The first being, the Board actually believes individual entitlements to public education monies exist. And the second being, they believe the district’s funds are available for them to give away at their own discretion.
Our country’s forefathers believed public education was a necessary element of our society, because it benefited us all, if not directly, indirectly, through an educated society. Thus, the tax for public education was implemented. This idea served the people of the United States well; until the day, special-interest groups began believing they were entitled to a share of the public education’s money. It should be no surprise; with so many special-interest groups receiving a piece of the pie, the purpose of actually educating the children became secondary to bureaucracy.
Those fed up with a stained and breaking system started seeking solutions elsewhere, private and charter schools, home-schooling. Rather than find a solution, the DCS Board decided to throw in the towel; and give away the public’s education funds to those who want nothing to do with public education.
Choosing an alternate option to public education is freedom of choice. It does not entitle an individual to a refund. The taxpayer pays taxes, not tuition. If it were truly a viable option to receive a tax refund, when you exercised your freedom to choose, the government would cease to exist from lack of funding. Everyone would request a refund!
Now facing one of the largest budget cuts, the Douglas County School Board wants to give money away, they don’t have. They want to reward specific individuals, already financially able to choose an alternative option to public education, with an entitlement to the public’s funds. We should be asking, “What is their motive? Why do they believe they are entitled to give away public education’s money?” It is their job to protect the funds, not just for the good of the county’s citizens, but for society as a whole. They should be preserving public education.
While volunteering in public schools for the past ten years, making many donations, and contributing to various fundraisers, I have seen so many other parents doing the same. These parents are contributing significantly, while the School District is steadily increasing the costs of education. In 2006, the citizens of Douglas County granted the School District a tax increase for their requested bond issue. Then in 2008, when the district asked the taxpayers for another tax increase; it was rejected. The DCSD responded by cutting the elementary school music program. Parents could transport their kids to a specific location and pay for the program if they were interested. Soon bus transportation was cut. Parents now spend an extra $200 per child, each year, to pay for bus transportation. School fees increased too. Pressure for more donations and fundraising is escalating.
Currently, the District wants to cut the number of required credit hours for high school students. They request sophomores and juniors to register for only 5-6 credits instead of 7-8 credits. These students, wanting to learn, would like to take a full course-load. Yet, the School District is telling they only have the money to teach the required classes. It doesn’t matter if you would like to learn other subjects. We don’t have the money; we’re busy giving it away.
Douglas County School Board still believes it is a good idea to give away public educations’ money in the form of vouchers? Could it be they believe themselves politicians; or have they just given up on public education too? It is time for citizens to take action. Please take a few minutes, and contact the Douglas County School District. Let them hear your voice.
Penne Schaaf lives in Highlands Ranch. EDITOR’S NOTE: This is an online-only column and has not been edited.
