Saturday morning January 28, nearly forty parents and children gathered in the second floor meeting room of the St. Matthew’s Library to make crafts and learn about school choice. This informal meeting was planned to build on the momentum of “School Choice” week. Flor Elena Magandaz expressed her frustration with the public school system, “The public schools are not too good, but I don’t have more options.” She lives in St. Matthews, but two of her children are bussed across town to Byck Elementary School at 23rd and Cedar St. When her son was being bullied; she tried to get a transfer, but was told no. She lives much closer to St. Matthews Elementary, but she can’t choose to send her children there.
Some parents at the meeting said that they chose home schooling because of the uncertainty of the student assignment plan in Jefferson County. Ann Zorn “loves home schooling, but supports the option of charter schools.” She said there were more resources and activities available for home schooled children now than she could ever take advantage of. If she had to go back to work full time, Ann would rather send her daughter to a charter school. A charter school has the accountability of a private school without the tuition. Jennifer Ulaszek, another home schooling mom, paraphrased one line from the movie, The Cartel," You can pick your doctor, or restaurant or home, but when it comes to your school, you go where they tell you to go.”
Charity Edmonston is one of the parents actively supporting school choice. She brought Bob Bowdon, writer and director of The Cartel to speak at The Galt House last week. As state coordinator of Coalition for Educational Freedom, and co-founder of PIKE, Parents for Improving Kentucky Education, she is working hard to get information about school choice to Kentucky parents. Movies like The Cartel, Waiting for Superman and Not as Good as You Think have made that task easier.
Carl Rollins (D) Midway, head of the KY House Education Committee, has agreed to allow a hearing of Brad Montell’s, (R) Shelbyville, Charter Schools Bill, House Bill 77 on February 7. The Senate has passed bills allowing the formation of charter schools in both 2010 and 2011, but this will be the first hearing in the House. Charter schools are an option in 41 states. If the House Education Committee votes to allow this issue to be brought to the floor for a vote, Charter Schools will be one step closer to becoming a choice for Kentucky parents like Ms. Magandaz.
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