“One accountability measure is [if] they’re educating this Ohio child, if the cost of the voucher is $7,000... that accountability is it’s less expensive,” he said. “I don’t think there’s anybody who’s going to question that.”
Speaker Huffman, I am here to “question that.” It is a malicious attempt to destroy public education by using generally inaccurate terms that do not fully account for the work a public school does compared to the work of a private school. Looking at education like a business is not the best way to improve the socio-economic standing of our community members. Talk about leaving no child behind, a majority of Ohio public school students would not pass the quality inspection of the raw materials coming in the door as kindergartners. The job of an educator is to take those students and grow them into productive citizens.
Additionally, you are comparing apples and carrots when trying to pit public schools vs. private schools. Public schools are required and want to educate all students. Private schools educate the students they want to educate. These are two very different starting places. Ohio is in the process of separating our students into haves or have-nots depending on their zip code, socio-economic status, religion, disability, and many other labels. Talk about identity politics. You would typically see this from Democrats, but in the name of “parent rights,” our Republican leadership can justify such behavior. You and schools should want to serve everyone equally on a level playing field with choices that every entity can complete and be held accountable.
Let’s take a look at one area of service that is required for a public school that is not required by a private school. Special education is over 25% of the total budget for many school districts. Some students need a $100,000 per year residential program for example. We are required by Federal law to provide those services at the district’s expense. A private school simply doesn’t have to admit a student with special needs into their program and they certainly will not have to pay for a residential program for a student. If we follow Speaker Huffman’s logic the family of that student in the $100,000 program the parents would be on the hook for $93,000. How great does that voucher look now? You can’t claim that public schools are wasting money unless you are suggesting that spending money on students with disabilities is wasting money. Is that what you are saying, Speaker Huffman? What commitments are there to funding to support students' needs outside the realm of what schools can “fix”?
Speaker, you may be the most powerful person in Ohio politically, but you are not God. You speak from a place of arrogance. The voters in the State of Ohio didn’t elect their representatives to dismantle public education which will forever have severe unintended consequences to the strength of our state and nation. The hub of activity in rural areas is public schools. Where do you see everyone on a Friday night in the fall? Destroying the system that educates 90% of our students so that you can complete your vendetta against public education is unconscionable.
The other disgusting fact is that newly elected representatives are told they will do what they are told by leadership or else they won’t be primaried the next time. The last time I checked we were a republic, not a dictatorship. Our students, families, and communities deserve better representation.
Education shouldn’t be run like a business if we are going to continue our uniquely American tradition of educating all of our students. I am asking all Ohioans who love their communities, who love their public schools, and those who understand a great education for every student is essential to maintaining our republic to voice their support for public education to their representatives. Stop the attack on public schools!
Jeremie Hittle, SFO is the Treasurer/CFO for Piqua City Schools.
About the Author