Tell me again why I should send children to government-run (public) schools?

Questions of safety, crowding and public confidence in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools resurfaced Thursday after lunchtime fights at North Mecklenburg High turned into chaos.

Seven students were sent to hospitals, 15 were arrested, and police shot two with Taser guns. The remaining students at the state's largest high school were sent home as a precaution.

You see, according to the Observer, if we just pass the school bonds next month, then there won't be overcrowding and these sorts of things just won't happen. There's at least 4 other places in the article that they mention "overcrowding."

Of course, that's all a complete and total intentional lie.

First, there is plenty of school building space right now. However, the school board, primarily to get more funding, but also to show their displeasure with anyone who DARES to live in the suburbs, intentionally overfills schools. For every thousand students too many in one suburban school, there are about 1,100 EMPTY seats in urban schools. That is absolutely intentional.

Second, it's a complete lie that more school bonds will lead to more schools for the suburbs. The school board has said again and again that they want to spend MORE money on the inner-city schools -- the ones that are at 50% or less capacity.

And don't worry -- those involved in the brawl will likely be suspended -- at least for a day. They'll be back soon, however, because the school board refuses to allow anyone, even convicted felonious sex offenders, the "opportunity" to attend the government school.

Posted by: Ogre at 07:03 AM | Comments (4) | Add Comment
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1 Even in the mid-1970's, when I was teaching in the supposedly-elite and supposedly-excellent Fairfax County Public Schools, we were having to deal with knife fights in the halls. The administration forbade us to tell about the events. If news such as you're pointing out here is getting out to the public now, I submit that matters are so bad as to be beyond belief. According to recent articles here, every single high school in Fairfax County has gang presence. All the counseling and money in the world won't fix problems of character--character on the part of students, parents, and teachers. And, mostly, the administrators are just serving out their time and waiting for retirement. I left the public-school system in 1978 and never looked back! I took a terrible hit in the pocketbook, but I went into private Christian education, where I stayed for 18 years. When PC struck the Christian schools in my area, I again bowed out (I needed to caregive my dying father, anyway). The Lord opened the door--I now teach groups of homeschoolers. Again, another paycheck hit, but I haven't compromised my principles. PS: Thanks for stopping by my blog. I'm still without a car today, but wanted to take time to visit here. I'll come by more regularly once my schedule straightens out.

Posted by: Always On Watch at October 28, 2005 07:18 AM (ywZa8)

2 It's getting harder and harder to avoid the government and all the problems it causes. I don't know what it will take to get people to understand that not everyone belongs in a public school. I don't think the government ever will -- and that's one of the primary reasons that government should not even be involved in education at all. I'm glad to hear that things have really worked out for you! And I'll bet teaching homeschoolers is loads of fun. I'd like to do that, but I can't take the paycheck hit that would happen -- I'm teaching now, but in a private school where I can really do what I want. If students don't behave -- even if they're just disrepectful -- they're out the door, no questions asked.

Posted by: Ogre at October 28, 2005 07:37 AM (/k+l4)

3 Well, tasering the students is a good start.

Posted by: Pixy Misa at October 28, 2005 08:11 AM (QriEg)

4 Yeah, but they only tasered two of them...

Posted by: Ogre at October 28, 2005 08:58 AM (/k+l4)

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