What should school choice mean? Is it one or both of these?
1. Students can choose any school in the district. There is a variety of neighborhood schools, dedicated magnet schools and even virtual school choice options, such as Duval Virtual Instruction Academy.
2. Taxpayers are forced to fund charter and private schools that don't have to meet the same accountability standards as district-run schools.
Duval County Public Schools, the district-run schools, are in competition with charter schools and voucher-funded private schools for funding and for students. I am appalled that state legislators, through Senate Bill 538, are forcing school districts to offer services to students who enroll in that competition.
At the July 21 Duval County Public Schools board workshop, the board discussed SB 538. The legislative change forces districts to allow charter and voucher-funded private school students to participate in district athletics. The state caps what districts can charge these students at $400. But the board can also vote to let charter and voucher-funded students use district facilities and services for free.
Ask school board candidates about SB 538 to gauge whether they're running to help charter schools or district-run schools. How will they vote on this issue if elected? Will they let charter and voucher students double dip, that is, collect funding for their “choice school” while also getting free services from the district?
DCPS board members run the district schools. The competition, such as charter and voucher-funded schools, has its own governing boards. When you vote in August, please vote for Duval County Public Schools board candidates who want our district-run schools to have well-funded, excellent options, and who acknowledge they will be in charge of schools competing with other publicly funded education options for students and funding.
Susan Aertker
Retired certified public accountant and public school advocate
