Charter school questions
A recent letter from a charter school supporter asked why we think it is that two charter schools exists and are flourishing in Coweta County. The answer is that they are de facto private schools funded by tax dollars. Central Educational Center is an exception. It is flourishing and is approved and administered by our local school board.I have some very important questions regarding state supported charter schools:
How do they handle students with chronic disciplinary problems?
Do they handle them “in house” or do they dump them back on the public school system?
Does the general public elect the “local school boards” that control the charter schools?
Even though charter schools will not get “local” funding, doesn’t the money still come out of the pockets of the taxpayers?
Do the charter schools have the same ratio of minority students as the public schools?
How can some students get to the charter schools if their parents are too poor to own a car or do not have the time to transport them?
Just like the charter schools, our public schools have highly qualified and dedicated teachers and administrators. The only difference is in the deportment of the students. Unruly students with uncaring parents are not going to apply to charter schools, so the public schools are left to deal with them.
If the state wants to improve the quality of our schools, the money for charter schools could be better spent by building more alternative schools and even reform schools for unruly students. State money should not be used to only benefit a few.
Dennis Thompson, Newnan
