Who should pay?
I found it ironic that on the front page of the weekend Monitor we read about a Charter School’s need for more money which also included two pertinent articles about public education.
UNH is being impacted by the drastic cuts the State imposed on them and our Republican-controlled state is considering defying a court order to fairly fund special education.
The Charter school featured is having money struggles despite the $9,000 per pupil they receive from the state. Public schools receive less that $5,000 per pupil and a mere $2,000 a year for each special education student.
Public schools must pay for transportation, special education and teacher certifications. Charter schools are only required to have 50% of their teachers certified, they do not pay for transportation or special education. Many schools need to hire additional special education staff to travel to give services to all of the Charter schools that children in their district attend.
If public schools were funded properly, the children needing extra help and attention would be better serviced-few school districts can afford social workers or other support staff. They are badly needed. Most schools are just trying to keep art, gym and music!
Between vouchers and the state’s support of alternate schools, our public schools are being severely strained. That may be the long range plan!