[K12OSN] Off Subject Question
Kirk Rheinlander (kirk@kpj2.com)
Wed, 24 Apr 2002 09:36:42 -0600
Long winded message - and funding problem related, not technology, so
delete it now if you are not interested.....
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I am running into a problem, that, while not a technology one, may be of
interest to those on this forum, and can provide me some input (direct to
me would be fine - just do a "REPLY" not a "REPLY TO ALL" ;-)
I have been working as a parent volunteer with a couple charter schools
here in Ft. Collins, Colorado. As the district I/T is firmly in M$'s
pocket, the charters have been where K12LTSP is being implemented.
Under state law, the charters are "owned" by the local public school
system. And, at least here in Colorado, the 5 top performing schools
(grades and CSAP testing) in the state are all charter schools - so the
public school system is taking aim at destroying the only competition they
have (and they say the US is not a socialist state!!)
Charter schools only funding is the Per Pupil Rate (PPR), of which 7% goes
to the district, which provide zero services (no bus, cafeteria, or volume
purchasing, and charges a 5% premium (tax?) on school supplies that we are
legally required to purchase from the district). In addition, the charter
school buildings are funded out of the PPR (some 25% of budget), whereas
public schools have a separate taxpayer levy that funds buildings.
My question: Just as LINUX is battling the evil monopolistic empire
(Micro$oft), with better services at a lower cost, how can we, as charter
schools, which are also providing better services at a lower cost, win the
fight against "city hall"????
Or do we have to move to some other country, like Korea, where the school
system is taken as a national asset, and performance is rewarded???
As quasi-educators, I would think that everyone on this list would have a
stake in this discussion, although if there is a more appropriate forum,
please tell me, and I'll move this issue there.
Thanks for listening to a concerned parent.....
Kirk Rheinlander
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