It is possible to support public education and still believe some children will do better with a different educational experience than the public system. It is possible to support public education and also want your children or grandchildren to have a different experience than the public system.
One way this can happen is for families to join together and make a personal sacrifice to support a private school. It is also possible that such a school would be inclusive and open to any who wanted to attend and that it would provide an excellent education. This school would not have to define itself in opposition to the public system, which has a different set of demands and some truly difficult challenges.
Support the public schools with our tax dollars and public funds? Yes. But also allow parents freedom, and give them access to some small portion of their public funds to join with their own monies to support a school of their choice. After all, their children are Alaska children too.
Whenever the current barrage of letters, articles and bills against private schools subsides, maybe legislators will find a way to craft such a solution, by whatever means it takes. This could bring the most benefit to the greatest number of Alaska children.
— Fr. Marc Dunaway
Saint John Orthodox Christian School
Eagle River
Have something on your mind? Send to letters@adn.com or click here to submit via any web browser. Letters under 200 words have the best chance of being published. Writers should disclose any personal or professional connections with the subjects of their letters. Letters are edited for accuracy, clarity and length.