Voucher system may be the answer

Ms. Crossett's editorial of March 6 re: school levy vote made some good points. A well-educated populace does better serve the entire community and offsets much of the cost of a public supported educational system by way of increased personal productivity.

But as a society, can we do better? I think so. Ms. Crossett mentions trust. I sense many don't trust how our state and local school boards allocate the hard-earned taxpayers' dollar. History has on many occasions shown that public institutions have a difficult time getting the most bang for their buck.

Can this change? Probably not under the current system. Not as long as we have organizations like the National Education Association, tenure and unions that fight every attempt to introduce any alternate form of financing for public education. I have asked public educators many times why there is no competition in our educational system? I shan't bore or insult you with their answers.

Until there is an incentive for teachers and schools to perform there will be little change. Until there is personal responsibility on the part of the schools for the final product (an educated graduate), there will be little change.

Until public schools must show as much productivity as private schools for the same amount spent, there will be little change.

We as a public, unless financially blessed, have very little choice in where our children are educated. A voucher system will open up educational opportunity for all. Why does the status quo fight it?

BILL LITSINGER

Sagle