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Rep. Merrrifield's views on charters

Friday, April 13 at 12:01 AM

This Speakout has not been edited

By Allison Hunter, Colorado Springs, president, El Paso County Democrats Club

This letter is regarding Rep. Michael Merrifield stepping down as Chair of the Education Committee in the State House, and a response to the opposers of Representative Michael Merrifield, and his so called “true feelings” about education, vouchers and charter schools in the email to Senator Windels.

First, let’s stop all the partisan rhetoric, or what I like to call “bully speak". To all the opposing legislators, and community leaders you know who you are. Let’s put aside politics, and put the spotlight on our children’s education and their needs. Please stop ignoring the actual facts, and trying to bash the opposition hoping that others will simply just buy into your words because you throw in other words like Republican, Democrat, Liberal, or Conservative. I like to think the general public is more discerning, and prefer the facts over your usual “bully speak".

I keep looking for some supporting information illustrating why Rep. Merrifield is wrong about his opinions on charters, and vouchers. Hmmm...surprisingly enough I can’t find anything....shocker. Lucky for all of you I do have factual information that is non-partisan, based on real numbers, and information that came from a new D-11, and Colorado Statewide study. Also, use of an actual “cost benefit analysis” was used, you know... those formula’s that successful organizations and corporations use to make sure they are efficient, and fiscally responsible? Please let me share this information with you, and the public.

As an example I will refer to the local area I live in:

Did you know that most of the school districts in Colorado Springs, and El Paso County already have school choice? If you apply during the designated time frames it is likely your child can go to any school in their own district, and even in a completely different school district. I live in D-11, and my son went to D-20 schools for 4 years.

Did you know that creating charter programs is not a “financial wash” like the supporters of these programs would have you believe? As a matter of fact it costs D-11 twelve million dollars a year for it’s ten charter programs. That is 1.2 million a year more per 250 charter students vs. 250 regular public school students. This is far from a wash. This is money being taken directly from our regular D-11 students. Yep, your kids and mine. Also, D-11 numbers are in line with what other school districts in the state are experiencing.

Did you know that charter schools do not increase student achievement? As a matter of fact essentially all authoritative, unbiased studies demonstrate that charter schools under-perform regular public programs, on average, for measured student groups—even at-risk students.

Did you know the state legislature and State Board of Education are effectively mandating that school districts, including D-11, fund these charter programs at the direct expense of regular public school children. Even districts with sole chartering authority often have charters imposed on them by the State Board of Education.

Oh and let’s not forget about vouchers, this is what I know:

Did you know that vouchers allow OUR money, the TAX PAYERS money to the State of Colorado to be allocated to private schools, which ultimately is used not only for education, but towards making a profit for the private owners of these institutions?

Did you know vouchers also blur the lines in “Separation of Church and State “ if the private school is a religious school? This is not in the best interest of the general public, or the churches. Public money should not be spent on private non-religious, or religious institutions.

So, if you know Rep. Merrifield you also know he is aware of all this information, which is what fuels his passion against what the opposition is trying to do with education. In my opinion he was far too nice in his email. People like his opposition, and the groups who are crying out the loudest against him are turning this situation into a partisan bully match. All of you are truley the ones responsible for taking the money directly from our children’s public school education. Deprogram yourself from the steady stream of partisan instruction from the elders, and think for yourself for a change. Did someone say...agenda???

Rep. Michael Merrifield has always been a knowledgeable valiant crusader for our children, and will survive the likes of bully’s like you.

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