Charter Schools in Livingston: A Different View

Since I could not post a response replying to Deborah Shapiro's comments on her blog, since I do not meet the criteria to do so, I am posting my thoughts here, as follows: 

Deborah: I agree and disagree with your comments, and I was one of the people who questioned you at the budget hearing and I also was an attendee at the Council conference meetings at which the budget was discussed before the public hearing. I also acknowledge that while my eyes may need correction, my hearing is still excellent.

(1) Unformtunately, many situations in Livingston are made political and then on party lines. When Democrats or Republicans disagree, my 35 years as a resident here recalls that all differences are spoken of as party politics, not people disagreements. Such is politics in Livingston; good, bad or indifferent.

(2) Some of your comments about wanting the budget to go forward so we met the State deadline are accurate, but when you were given the opportunity to make or ask for reductions (such as in the Library budget) you did not come forth with any suggestions or dollar amounts; you actually remained silent. Silence is usually taken to be acquiesence. If this was not your intention, you had several opportunities to speak up at these conferences and you failed to do so in any effective or meaningful way.

(3) As for your position on Charter Schools, while I respect it, you seem to be confused, inconsistent or intentionally vague in some language, such as you fail to discuss the legitimate issue of the difference between "want" and "need," and the difference between "divisiveness" and "cohesion."

In most suburban communties equivalent to Livingston that have charter schools, they needed them because something was absent from the cirrciulum (like math courses in Princeton) or in the district (like only half-day kindergarten in East Brunswick). These are needs, not wants! I am not sure what is missing from the cirriculum in the Livingston and Millburn-Short Hills school districts that could not be added, if not already there, if a sufficient number of students requested additional courses.

Just because a few people "want" a course or a program, does not mean that the entire municipal population must pay for it, at least without being given the opportunity to express themselves and vote on it. Livingston residents and taxpayers will not be given this opportunity unless laws are changed. We still live in a Democracy, not a dictatorship!

Likewise, statistics bear out that many specific language/culture charter schools (A) cause divivenesss within a community, and (B) mostly deprive a school district and the community of the talents, culture and contributions of the segment separating themselves.

If most people knew how easily a "private" school could convert to a "Charter" school, we would no longer have private schools and only charter schools, supported by public funds. NJ is already noted as having the 6th most segregated shoool system in the United States. We do not need to move higher up the list. So, follow your heart on this issue, but also be open, candid and truthful in talking about it. Tell all the facts, not just those that may support your position.