Bias vs. public education?

As one of those PSS hacks and bureaucratic cronies, I have a couple of comments on Mr. Charles Reyes’ opinion of public education. First of all he does not have to worry about PSS overspending his tax dollars. When it comes to per pupil expenditure, CNMI ranks dead last when compared to the US mainland and territories. Also, I’m not sure I would compare the social complexities of families and students to an automobile, although if your mechanic knew his business, he might comment if you constantly ran your car without oil or water.

I do agree however, that there are better ways to organize education. Site based management, in which parents have a more direct role in the management of their child’s school, would help improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the school. Also, a true voucher system that leveled the playing field, would help schools become more competitive, and hopefully, do a better job of meeting the needs of their students . If a school received tax dollars for one student’s tuition however, they must agree to take all students who wish to attend that school, regardless of the child’s academic ability, physical, mental, or emotional disability, ethnic orientation, or parent’s religious, or economic status.

But one thing that might really help, is if publications such as yours would change their obvious bias against public education. Vicious, and undocumented articles such as the one Mr. Reyes wrote, and you published, do nothing but make your paper appear second rate and petty, and malign the hundreds of dedicated teachers who truly love, and devote their lives to the betterment of their students.

James Denight

Principal

Marianas High School