From their beginnings, public schools in the United States have been viewed as institutions that served their local communities. Initially, those schools were often financed by voluntary contributions, but by the end of the 19th century the tradition of funding them through local property taxes was widespread. This tradition had real advantages because many families were living in small, relatively isolated communities with similar standards of living.
But as time passed, fewer people lived in such communities. Instead, more people crowded into major cities, and then—if they achieved “success”—moved to the suburbs that came to surround those urban centers. As the suburbs grew, the inhabitants retained the tradition of funding public schools through local property taxes, but now this system was flawed. Parents who moved to affluent suburbs were generally willing to fund well-equipped, well-staffed public schools for their own children, but—familiar only with the tradition that public schools should be funded locally—they saw little reason to pay additional taxes to fund equivalent schools for the impoverished students left behind in city centers or rural towns.
And then there is Lakewood. A town where most of the homeowners send their children to private schools. A town where most of those attending public school do not own a home and many do not even live in a legal rental. Lakewood, a town that continues to build homes in which the tax bill does not cover the cost of busing or the many children with special needs.
The time has come for our state to rethink how to fund the public school system that will be equitable for all communities. A fair system for those that use private schools, for senior developments, and for districts burdened with educating the immigrant population.
The only problem is that our current legislature is too busy doing favors for their special interests to do anything about our real problems.
HH
And then there is Lakewood. A town where most of the homeowners send their children to private schools. A town where most of those attending public school do not own a home and many do not even live in a legal rental. Lakewood, a town that continues to build homes in which the tax bill does not cover the cost of busing or the many children with special needs.
The time has come for our state to rethink how to fund the public school system that will be equitable for all communities. A fair system for those that use private schools, for senior developments, and for districts burdened with educating the immigrant population.
The only problem is that our current legislature is too busy doing favors for their special interests to do anything about our real problems.
HH
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