There are so many reasons to VOTE “NO” on Ballot Question 2 that I don’t know where to begin.
I have over 20 years of experience watching charters while teaching in California and Massachusetts, as my native state. Both are charter school states. The ad with Gov. Baker claiming it offers families with children in failing schools “options” was shocking. It is the job of the governor and state Department of Education to oversee our schools. If there are struggling schools the Department of Education needs to step in to offer support and oversee their transition. If the governor and secretary of education fail to do this and want to subcontract/privatize these schools they need to be replaced in the next election cycle. They are not doing their jobs!
IF you vote to increase the number of charters and expand current ones you are giving away your tax dollars to organizations with no publicly elected boards to oversee them nor are they held to the same standards as your neighborhood schools. They want your money not your oversight.
ALWAYS follow the money. Most of the money paying for the “yes” ads are out-of-state corporate money. Shame on you Gov. Baker and shame on you if you vote for Question 2. The National Charter Schools Association will be targeting your school board races next as well as other elected officials. I have seen this happen.
Massachusetts has a national reputation for Great Public Schools. Don’t lose that.
Linda Tuttle
Sacramento, Calif.
Gill, Mass.