SI
SI
discoversearch

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor.  We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community.  If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.
Politics : View from the Center and Left
 Public ReplyPrvt ReplyMark as Last ReadFilePrevious 10Next 10PreviousNext  
To: TimF who wrote (10429)1/31/2006 2:23:50 PM
From: JohnM  Read Replies (3) of 541432
 
Tim, you may have a point with your argument but this bit about the schools being a part of government doesn't make it well.

Your argument would seem to be strongest in municipalities in which the mayor has control over the schools, such as Bloomberg is trying to obtain in NYC. But it's weakest in places like NJ in which neither mayors or governors have "control." In NJ, even though local property taxes fund k-12 public education, the boro councils have no control over it. The school board must sponsor public boro wide votes each year in which the budget must be either approved or disapproved.

The school board is elected by the voters and they are expected to set policy parameters. But it's been my experience, just recently renewed with some participation, that the only real power they have is to hire and fire the top most rank(s). An adept and able superintendent of the system is easily able to manipulate school board members who know little about the intricacies of operations. But that's hardly different from any company.

One further argument you might make would have to do with competition. You might argue that k-12 public schools have monopoly control and that's tantamount to socialism. But I don't think that works. In suburban areas, families, quite frequently, pick their place of residence on the basis of school quality. And school boards routinely argue that if the municipality wishes to keep property values high, the residents need to approve higher school taxes. So there is definitely competition.
Report TOU ViolationShare This Post
 Public ReplyPrvt ReplyMark as Last ReadFilePrevious 10Next 10PreviousNext  

HomeMailHotSubjectMarksPeopleMarksKeepersSettings
Terms Of UseContact UsCopyright/IP PolicyPrivacy PolicyAbout UsFAQAdvertise on SI
© 2025 Knight Sac Media.  Data provided by Twelve Data, Alpha Vantage, and CityFALCON News