Two Viewpoints on the School Voucher Initiative

As the principal of a small parochial school in Van Nuys, I must take exception to several of Carolyn Ellner’s statements in “Voucher Initiative Is an Empty Promise” (Sept. 26).

She implies that private school teachers and administrators are unqualified, uncredentialed and certainly not “good.” Ms. Ellner should learn more about her topic before speaking up.

Our school charges $2,450 a year in tuition, less than the proposed $2,600 under the Proposition 174 voucher system. Certainly our teachers are underpaid, but most of our teachers are credentialed; all have a four-year education degree or higher, and all are excellent. They meet daily, operate as a team, and are dedicated to the educational excellence and emotional well-being of every child. Consequently we have a strong and positive educational atmosphere at our school, which I know to be true of other private schools as well.

In addition, and I know Ms. Ellner will be shocked to hear this, many private schools, including ours, are accredited.

The bleak picture Ms. Ellner paints of private schools under the voucher system is completely unrealistic. Bare walls? No insurance? No playgrounds, restrooms or books? In the real world of private schools we have all of the things that public schools have, if not more!

She did not comment about discipline. Of course, according to Ms. Ellner, we have nothing but “classes of hand-picked pupils.” Again, in the real world, private schools operate on tight budgets. Very few students are turned away, especially in parochial schools, where faith leads us to reach out to all students.

Even so, unruly behavior is not tolerated. Not only do we believe that children have a right to an excellent education, they also have a right to a safe and secure environment.

That right includes limits to their behavior. Even Ms. Ellner would agree that children act out so as to learn their boundaries. In addition, we provide hugs. Private school teachers go out of their way to meet the needs of today’s students whether it’s educating, disciplining or hugging . . . all without expecting extra pay.

Speaking of poorly qualified teachers, what does Ms. Ellner have to say about the public schools filling up to 700 teaching positions with untrained personnel who had lost their jobs elsewhere?

MARLIN MILLER

Principal, First Lutheran School of Van Nuys

* Thank you for the good coverage you have been giving to the school voucher debate, including the excellent article by Carolyn Ellner.

But no thanks for the muddled Northridge Middle School article, which just poured more fuel on the district’s fires. Article after article trumpets school violence and failure. Parent after parent writes of “saving” their kids from the Los Angeles public schools.

Now, former Education Secretary Bennett campaigns for Proposition 174, saying it would save the state millions because 25% of California (and 50% of Los Angeles) kids would take the voucher dollars and flee to the sanctity of private schools. What deceptive nonsense to think that there would suddenly be enough private school space for 300,000-plus kids fleeing Los Angeles schools!

We can’t blame parents for seeking the best for their kids. My own child was moved to a Jewish day school--primarily because of its importance to us in bringing her a quality Jewish education and solidifying her Jewish identity, and also to secure a better education than she was getting.

But that’s our responsibility--our exercise of “choice.” We don’t want and have no right to expect the public to pay for that choice--any more than we want our dollars to pay for some other child’s Christian education.

Bennett talks of the state saving big bucks, but not about the quality of schools that would suddenly appear, which would not be accountable for the competence of teachers or even the use of public funds.

And what will happen to the kids whose parents can’t get into a private school or can’t make up the $1,000 to $9,000 difference to ensure them (maybe) a better chance at a quality, safe education?

What would happen in our already stricken Los Angeles schools if just the 10% of California’s already shameful per-pupil expenditures came out of the inadequate budgets to pay for the kids now in private or parochial schools? How many schools would have to close, and how high would student-teacher ratios have to soar?

Have we lost all sense of responsibility?

JERRY FREEDMAN HABUSH

Van Nuys