Public Schools are on the chopping block
Another argument in opposition is the harm to students with disabilities and in rural areas. Much of the money would fall into the hands of families already sending their children to private school. A vast majority of these schools are Christian or Catholic. At the same time, the legislature is reducing its allocation of funds for public education to $8 billion when $20 billion is needed.
There’s more. Governor Abbott’s active role in support. Once the bill is passed, adding Texas into the anti-public school fray, the Times points out, opens the way for congress to be next. The handwriting is obvious and in very big letters: PUBLIC SCHOOLS ARE ON THE CHOPPING BLOCK.
Of all the arguments for supporting public schools (and there are many), for me it’s the loss of community, of children learning together––all of them from wherever––where they learn about each other and themselves: friendships, acquaintances, interests, foibles, strengths, concerns, cares, likes, dislikes. It’s in community that we become whole, understand what we can give and what we need.
Separating children into Texas’s pods: home schools, church schools, special-purpose private schools. This enforces separation, children only learning by themselves, no need to know ‘the other.’
I grew up in a college town that had a gown side and townie side. I came from the gown side and made friends with townies, Donny Ostrander, Anthony Seeny, and George Millis, the three I most remember. Public school put us into the same classrooms. Had I only gone to private school (I did for first and second grade) I may never have connected with them or others from the town side..
“It’s we, just us, no other,” a phrase I’ve written in these pages. When we are us and do not see an ‘other,’ it’s about who ‘we' all are, not just who ‘I’ am or will be. It’s all about community. Public schools make that possible.
