Re: The cost of Jewish communal responsibility

[Joshua Sharf <jsharf...>]

Spending isn't really the issue.  The DC public schools have the highest 
per-pupil spending in the country, and the lowest test scores.  There's no 
discipline, and certainly no learning.  (The Washington Post ran a tremendous 
series of articles about an idealistic ex-consultant who turned to elementary 
school teaching as a way of giving back.  It's worth looking up.)

I have no kids, and no problem supporting schools.  But this cuts both ways.  
Just because I don't have kids in the system shouldn't preclude me from having 
a say in how they're run.  My word shouldn't count for less at a school board 
meeting, or a PTA meeting (as long as I stay informed), when my dollar 
certainly counts as much, and my property is assessed at the same rates.

Also, why force kids to stay in systems that haven't worked in generations?  At 
the very minimum, the very least, they should have a chance to go to other 
public schools in the same jurisdiction that are better.  At the very least.

Joshua Sharf
http://www.viewfromaheight.blogspot.com
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Marvin Margoshes 
  To: World music from a Jewish slant 
  Sent: Wednesday, September 10, 2003 7:38 PM
  Subject: Re: The cost of Jewish communal responsibility



    ----- Original Message ----- 
    From: glenn tamir 
    To: World music from a Jewish slant 
    Sent: Wednesday, September 10, 2003 9:36 AM
    Subject: Re: The cost of Jewish communal responsibility


    It's a cop-out to say that Vouchers would damage the public school system.  
Let's examine the "reality" of the situation:

    1.  My three children are NOT in the public school system.  If they had 
been, surely there would have been a cost involved to educate them.  Therefore, 
by them NOT being there SOME cost savings can be realized anf the school 
district should be able to plan accordingly - especially if they are given 
advance notice.

    The issue then becomes "how much" would be an appropriate amount.  Should 
it be $100.00, $1,000.00 per year?  I don't know.  I do know that given an 
intelligent and un-biased investigation, there must be a way to come to an 
equitable solution.

    <cut>
    I've heard the same argument before, in various forms.  For instance: "I 
have no children in school, so why should I pay school taxes?"

    The public schools are a benefit to society.  What kind of a country would 
we have if only those who could afford tuition went to school?  The problem, in 
my mind, is funding schools mainly out of property taxes.  In theory, the 
amount of property one owns is related to ones income.  But in many cases, it 
is only related to past income.