Editorial - 08 Apr 2010
Private Schools Not the Domain of the Super Well-to-Do
T
he Baltimore Sun letter “BOAST would rob our public schools“ is one of the more ridiculous letter’s I’ve read in a while.
First, the assumption that any business that would now donate money to a private school would have otherwise donated to a public school is without a basis in reality.
Under the legislation, any private business could now choose to donate to an alma mater, a school their children attend or a local school they have some other affinity for or relationship with. Many of these contributors would otherwise keep the money in their pocket. To assume that if they can’t donate to the private school of their choice they would automatically donate their money to the black hole of public school education, or that society would be better off if they just kept the money in their bank account, is beyond ridiculous. The legislation is about freedom, and the ability of an individual or business to donate their money where they see a need for assistance. It allows people to do some good with their money. To help people in need. It will allow some parents to afford to keep their children in private school, which is financially beneficial to the public school system.
Even more ridiculous is the notion that private schools are a luxury available only to the “super-well-to-do”. In fact, study after study indicates that public school teachers send their own children to private schools at a rate nearly double the national average. We constantly hear from the left that public school teachers are underpaid. Are they underpaid, or are they part of the "super-well-to-do"? Mr. Kay needs to decide. Many families struggle mightily, forego vacations, drive older vehicles and live in less expensive housing just so they can afford to send their children to the local Catholic or secular private school. Steven Kay is showing the height of ignorance by stating the opposite. He should get out in the community more often, meet and talk to his neighbors, and garner an understanding of the magnitude to which some folks sacrifice for their children.
Alternately, Mr. Kay could just stand in the parking lot of the local Catholic school and watch the cop cars, construction trucks and 12 year old sedans roll by as people drop off their kids for class. I dare say that a high percentage of folks sending their children to private schools in my area couldn’t afford a house within 5 miles of Stephen Kay’s Severna Park zip code.
Editor - bethesite.com
