Charter Schools

Guess I'm not losing much sleep over the State Supreme Court's ruling that charter schools are unconstitutional.

Yes, a lot of parents, students, and staff are in limbo, not knowing whether the schools, now illegal, can stay open - but at least they are open, for now.

Seattle public schools are not, and a far greater number of students and families are scrambling, looking for alternatives should the teacher strike go on much longer.

The teachers want more pay, which would seem reasonable if - as the Court demands in another case - the state were to fully fund education.

Which brings me to the punch line - if public schools are underfunded, as the State Supreme Court argues, why did we vote to funnel millions of education dollars into the now illegal charter school alternative?

If we're concerned about our public school system, let's fix it, not ship precious dollars into an alternative system that helps - if it does - a tiny fraction of all students.

You have to wonder - at least I do - what might happen if all the energy and money and talent now sustaining charter schools would focus instead on positive changes in public education - the place where the overwhelming number of our children go to learn.

Fair disclosure - I voted against charter schools twice, for all these reasons.........