'Helter Skelter' is not a good plan for education

There is an idea being put forth, that would allow for parents to move their children from one school district to another. While this may seem reasonable to many, such a change in policy, could have a "Helter Skelter" effect.

One course that every teacher in the state of Missouri is required to take in college is: "The History and Philosophy of Education." It gives each prospective teacher insights into the nuts and bolts of our country's educational systems.

Since the majority of all our ancestors came from Europe, it is wise to study their educational systems, which in turn led to our unique American system.

Most Europeans were uneducated and illiterate. Truth be known, the system of the "Three Estates," (the nobility, the church, and the peasants) was better maintained, if the lower classes were not well educated. Education was a powerful force, and was feared by the nobility.

Colonial America was settled by a variety of individuals, but most were not from the noble classes. We had many that were criminals and indentured servants.

As we moved towards our independence, the leaders we often refer to as the "Founding Fathers," developed some radical and new concepts regarding education. They felt that in order to not become like the old countries and have those unequal levels of citizenship and education that each citizen should be educated, so as to become good citizens.

Before the Constitution of the United States was written and accepted, we had some very distinct and practical laws, designed to develop this system for educating citizens.

Perhaps the most significant was the education plan set forth by the Continental Congress in the "Northwest Ordinance of 1787." This law followed the Land Ordinance plan of 1785 that was used in the New England States.

Townships were set up in square districts (just like those we still have in Vernon County) that were six miles by six miles. Within those townships, one section of land (No.16) was sold, with the proceeds being used to fund the building of a public school (located on a corner of that section).

Funding for these schools after their initial construction was left to the local governments and states. We have come a long way, in the methods we use to build and finance our schools in America, over the past 234 years, but we have not changed our common democratic theme, that every citizen should have the right to a good public education.

In our general area there are the following public school districts, Nevada, Bronaugh, Sheldon, Northeast Vernon County, and Hume. Each of these schools is governed by the rules of the Missouri Department of Education. They must meet the guidelines set forth by the state.

Funding for these schools comes from three different levels of government. Each district receives substantial tax money from both the state and federal governments. They also receive property tax money assessed locally by each district.

This local tax is commonly referred to as a levy. A levy is a percentage of the assessed value of all real estate in that district. The tax is collected one time per year. The levy is different in each district. The rural schools tend to have higher levies, because they do not have the number of businesses and town homeowners, such as are found in a district like the Nevada R-5.

Any student who lives within one of these school districts is mandated by law to be educated by that school district. There are exceptions such as home schooling and religious private schools.

A family may apply to have their child attend another school in another district from the one in which they live, but if they do so, they must pay a fee called "tuition." Since the new district does not receive any local tax levy money for a student from another district, this tuition helps to defray the increased cost of education.

The argument for allowing students to transfer without penalty has mostly come in the metropolitan areas of our country. For example, the large Kansas City school district has for years had some real issues with being able to offer its students a good education. These range from the quality of the teachers, to the very real life threatening issues of safety.

I doubt that any of us would argue that the idea, of a family wanting their child to attend a good safe school outside of the inner city, is a bad idea.

To compare our local schools to those in the city is again like comparing apples and oranges. All of our local area schools are accredited by the state of Missouri, so the education that students receive there is considered adequate. Our schools are also safe and secure for students.

Each of our local districts has a school board that develops budgets, and makes sure their districts meet the requirements of the state board of education.

If you want to see "Helter Skelter," then that is what you will get if students are allowed to simply transfer from one local school to another, based on their personal family choice.

I ask the families and tax payers in each district the simple question, "do you think it is fair for students to transfer out of your district, tuition free, into another district?"

Remember, we are not talking about poor unaccredited schools, or those that are unsafe, like those in the big cities. We are talking about our own tax funded local schools.

How many students do you think you would lose from your local district if this plan is put in place? I think the answer is obvious. Do what you think is right for metro schools, but stay out of our local school business. We have been doing fine for decades, and we don't need your "Helter Skelter" plan!