I have received more feedback about the recent column about
schools than any other since I became a columnist.
I have received more feedback about the recent column about schools than any other since I became a columnist. The comments were slight variations of the most common “I’m so glad you said what I was feeling.” I was even approached by a woman I did not know. She waved, “are you the woman who writes that column?” and we proceeded to have a conversation about her response to it.
Virtually all of the testimonials began with “I believe in public schools, but …” Or “I grew up in public schools, but …” The responses revealed their great passion for education from which the school districts do not benefit.
Of course, there are parents who desire alternative education because of their beliefs. My friend sends her children to Catholic schools because she believes in Catholic education. I value foremost a wide array of learning opportunities and a school culture that views me as a partner as my child’s first teacher.
I believe most of the parents of South Valley youth attending private schools are more like me. We rejected public schools because we are extremely aggravated by the crippling bureaucracy, the overcrowded classrooms, the lack of support for overburdened teachers and lack of common sense in administrations that avoid accountability by adhering closely to the letter of the law instead of doing what is right ethically.
Two other discussions about the column spurred this one. One friend, whose children have attended both public and private said, “They’d never improve enough. They’re too wrapped up in politics to do what’s right for the kids.” A private school teacher observed: “The parents of private school students feel entitled to remind me ‘I pay for your salary, so …’ But you also pay for the public schools through your taxes, which are high. Why do you feel less inclined to hold them accountable?”
Indeed. I wonder if one of the things that creates a breeding ground for the problems in public schools is that they are viewed as “free,” so, with the exception of a very involved few, many feel like they have no leverage to influence change. Attitudes and practices of school administrators don’t do much to negate that feeling. I erred when I said the education in Texas was free. It was not free. We paid a lot in property taxes to finance those excellent schools. And we all do here, too.
So, the question the teacher asked us about those who say “I believe in public schools, but …” is pertinent. What can we do to hold the public schools accountable? What can we contribute to the conversation about the plight of our public schools to convert them to the high level of excellence public school children deserve? Two of the Morgan Hill school board candidates in the November election send or sent their kids to private high schools. One Gilroy board member sends his youngest child to a private school after his oldest attended public schools, and serves to add his unique perspective to the decision making. What else can we do other than running for one of the few seats available on a school board?
Most of us feel we gain many benefits from our schools that outweigh the hardship to attain them (expense in money and time). Is there any way we can share the best practices of what we experience at our schools that public schools could adopt?
I envision a day when the public schools have as high a quality as the private schools, and choice of private is made from personal choice, not because the public schools aren’t considered worthy options. Would school boards and teachers’ unions consider having an advisory board of private school and (dare I say it?) homeschooling parents? How about a survey of these parents to obtain feedback on what drove away the thousands of children South Valley public schools are not educating? Could private school parents serve on the search committees for superintendents? Could some of the private schools someday become charter schools?
My friend was only half-wrong. The schools can greatly improve, if there is a will from the entire community. And the teacher was right: private school parents pay for the public schools, too. So, private school parents, let’s make our voices heard.
