Letter: Let’s be strong for public schools

Graphic by Lori Deaton

As the children in my neighborhood prepare to go back to school, I remember how much our local public schools meant to my now-grown children. But I’m worried that by the time my grandchildren start school, the picture will be very different. North Carolina politicians are close to passing a private school voucher bill that could drain substantial funding from Buncombe County’s public schools [“Public Money for Private Schools: N.C. Legislature Prioritizes Private Education,” Aug. 9, Xpress].

What hard budget choices will Superintendent Rob Jackson and school board members need to make next year? Will first grade classrooms hold 45 6-year-olds instead of 30 (already too many!)? Will budget cuts cause more stress on teachers, increasing teacher turnover? Will sports, arts and music be eliminated, while academics suffer? How will this affect my grandchildren when they enter school?

But the future is not written in stone. If we all come together, we can not only protect but improve our schools. And make them the inspiring and supportive places of learning all North Carolina children deserve. This is why I volunteer my time as a member of Public School Strong and the HEAL Together NC coalition.

In September, I will be joining the September Surge for Public Schools. We are coming together in larger and larger numbers for honest, accurate, safe, equitable and fully funded public schools, not manufactured controversies.

Join us by going to the HEAL Together NC page on Facebook to learn how to join Public School Strong. Or just come to the next school board meeting on Thursday, Sept. 7, and look for me in my blue Public School Strong shirt and let’s chat!

— Sharon Broussard
Asheville

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5 thoughts on “Letter: Let’s be strong for public schools

  1. Enlightened Enigma

    School choice is freedom…let the $$$ follow the child / student. and It’s sensible.

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    • therealduckie

      School Choice is a misnomer. It’s also a dog whistle.

      Home-schooling is for the ignorant to keep their kids from learning proper social skills, being able to debate contrary positions, and keep them from being exposed to other cultures.

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      • WNC

        I find when liberals say debate what they mean is hear liberal sounding boards. Colleges keep limiting and eliminating debate with “safe spaces” etc.

        I known several families who homeschooled with their kids now holding lots of college degrees.

        By social skills do you mean
        Vaping
        Pretending Biology is a state of mind
        Avoiding the benefits of the nuclear family
        Promoting communism while desperately wanting to live in American

        To say home schooling is ignorant is IGNORANT

        Majority of American’s and especially minorities support school choice. White liberals enjoy telling minorities and others they should not have school choice.

  2. Shultz!

    Vouchering is just another way for us to keep our families comfy in our own echo chambers, be it an evangelical religious school or a progressive place like Evergreen charter or ICI. Forcing kids from different backgrounds / social leanings to be in the same place and interact with one another helps teach civility & constructive debate. It also shows one that folks that are different from you are just that, different, not demons. We need more personal interaction, not less, and public schools are the perfect forum.

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    • WNC

      As stated
      Majority of American’s and especially minorities support school choice. White liberals enjoy telling minorities and others they should not have school choice.

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