Parochial Schools Asking For (Taxpayer-Funded) Textbooks

[deadparrot]

Like many parents who send their children to parochial school, Manchester resident David Blackwell wants more of his property tax dollars used to support nonpublic education.

"It think it just makes sense," said Blackwell, whose advocacy has helped prompt Manchester officials to tap into a little-used state law that allows school boards to loan textbooks to nonpublic school students.

Blackwell's argument is a familiar one - that towns such as Manchester save millions of dollars because hundreds of local children attend private and parochial schools.

But his proposal, which calls for $50,000 in textbook funds, is proving complicated to implement and has raised vexing questions about a subject that has frustration flowing both ways.

http://www.courant.com/news/local/hc-bookflap1208.artdec08,0,4307102.story?coll=hc-headlines-local

[AnnInLa]

1. In my parish, the students who attend the private

Catholic school get to ride the public school busses, and are served by several of the specialized Special Ed. teachers who work for the public-school board.

[angstlessk]

6. My little elementary Catholic school had its own school bus and it was

no short bus. Catholics were not beholdin to ANY public funds...it was all paid for either from the attendees or from the Sunday offering because EVERY school had a parish church.

[nealmhughes]

2. It is unconstitutional in Alabama. Not one cent can be spent in private or religious schools.

I have a strong inkling that the seg academies down in South Alabama get around this somehow, though...

I don't see a problem with supplying books if they are the standard approved texts for public schools, but beyond that and handicapped access/helpers, etc. I draw the line.

[MadHound]

3. More private schools wanting to suck the public teat

All the while conspiring with the neocons and corporate entities in order to drive public schools out of existence, thus forcing all children into private, mostly religious schools.

Fuck 'em. You want a private school, you pay for it with your own dime, not mine.

[jazzjunkysue]

4. In NY, all kids get public books and tranport, period. But I don't

think it should go any further: If they want special ed they should attend public schools where the costs can be shared. There aren't enough special needs kids of any particular disability to make funding their teaching feasible. If we group them in the public schools, it's a whole lot easier to fund.

[HockeyMom]

7. I took the subway to Catholic school free

back in the 60s. This is nothing new. Every student (public/parochial/private) living in NYC was given a free transit pass.

[knitter4democracy]

5. I don't. In fact, I'm thinking of pulling my kids out.

I'm not sure I'm getting my money's worth when it comes to their education, and our public elementary up the road is good.

I taught in Catholic schools, and I'm a Catholic schools parent. I don't want taxpayer money for textbooks. We can raise the money ourselves.

[msongs]

8. all they need are bibles - want public books? go to public schools

next thing you know they will want their kids eligble to play on the sports teams. ooops, they already want that.

all the benefits with out having to associate with the unwashed riff raff rabble in those nasty public schools.

Msongs
www.msongs.com/political-shirts.htm