Support Public Education

I’m a retired teacher who cares a great deal about public education in Missouri and especially our local rural areas. Right now I’m worried about the MIssouri voucher program MOScholars.

 

About a third of Missouri’s school districts are operating only four day week. Many of these are rural. Two reasons are a shortage of funds and of qualified teachers. A four day week may be attractive, but I can’t see how this approach can be a long time solution.

 

I worked in rural Texas County. I enjoyed the teaching environment.  Local public schools have a long tradition closeness.  Every student is welcome and accepted. Every teacher is certified.  Every school is responsible. Locally elected school boards have authority and responsibility.

 

The Missouri legislature should address these public school problems constructively. Instead they make a big push for tuition vouchers for private schools.

 

With this MOScholars voucher a student can get tuition to transfer to a private or parochial schools. Many vouchers go to students who are already enrolled in private schools. These schools can reject students. I have nothing against private or parochial schools, but they should be publicly funded. Our public schools are already publicly funded. Parochial schools follow a certain religion, and our government should never support any religion.

 

When students drop out of public schools, the enrollment drops. As enrollment drops, funding drops. MOScholars takes away money that could and should go to our public schools.

 

Citizens of Missouri need to be aware. This could lead to a decline and loss of our public school system. To me the four day week is a warning sign, a signal that we should not ignore or accept.

 

Justin Mutrux,

Willow Springs