I “Started the Conversation” In the January issue of Northern Connection magazine, regarding
the question on taxes for alternative schooling. Charter Schools which are
independent public schools are funded by the taxes allotted for a child go with
the child from their current school district.
Which begs the question: shouldn’t the taxes allotted for a
child follow the child if he or she attends any alternative schooling?
I know in my own case, when I was being emotionally and
physically bullied, the school district could no longer guarantee my safety, so
my parents sent me to a private high school where I received a wonderful
education in a safe and wholesome environment. Unfortunately, my family had
difficulty affording the private school so any kind of tax break would have
helped.
Also, just a few months ago in November of 2013, the Pennsylvania
Senate Appropriations Committee approved an amended version of a charter school
reform bill that will allow most charters to receive payments directly from the
state rather than routing them through the local school districts and will
enable other entities other than the state and school districts, such as
universities, to authorize charter schools. (here's the amended version of the bill ).
Which begs another question: if they wanted, should a
private or parochial school be able apply for “charter” status and receive
state funded money?
What do you think? Let your voice be heard in the comment section below:
Great article Marianne! My husband and I talk about this all the time. We send both our girls to Catholic School, b/c of the lack of good programs in our local public school. I feel very strongly about this subject. I think at least some of our tax dollars should go toward our school or we should get a tax break. Our school taxes are around the same amount that our tuition is for the Catholic School.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the post, Melissa and it makes me think that if your tax dollars started going with the children, then maybe your local public school would look at reforming itself and start improving its own programs. As it is right now, they have very little motivation to do so. What do you think?
DeleteOne reader, who didn't want to post directly, commented to me that, if taxes followed, then why would any one choose traditional public school? Especially considering the Exxon Mobile commercial:
ReplyDeletehttp://youtu.be/cfGHDvBvI6g
That says our educational system needs reformed. What do you think?
Concerning the already answered question about using taxpayer money to pay for parochial schooling,I would like to mention the following points. 1)Taxes come from a pool of taxpayers with varying contributions.2)Some people have no children and still pay taxes. 3)Taxes don't flow from a particular taxpayer to a particular child's education. 4)Nobody should ever be forced to support another's religion. 5)Everyone in this country should be free to practice their own religion. 6)Many religious as well as free-world leaders understand how important it is to maintain a separation of church & state. 7)With thousands of years of bloodshed in the name of religion to remind us of the consequences, lets strive for peace and unity. The Founding Fathers of our country gave us a great start with the hopes that we would be guided by our intellects. Lets not regress. Sincerely, Tim Stack P.S. May I suggest a discussion on eliminating property taxes,which are especially tough on older folks and basically amount to renting ones own property.
ReplyDeleteHi Tim, Thank you for the post. You really raise some very interesting points and illustrate why bills to give alternative schools a tax break rarely ever make it past committee. I am particularly interested in your idea of doing away with property taxes all together. They sure are a heavy hit but I’m not sure what the alternatives are and do you think it would help America catch-up internationally in math and science?
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