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Editorial: Defending their turf Some people have a hard time understanding why a school district doesn't want any competition. In today's cycle of seemingly endless and mounting budget blows, who can blame these cash-strapped school leaders for wanting to tilt the field in their favor? The issue before the Ashland School District today is whether a Waldorf-inspired class can use the vacant Briscoe Elementary property for educational purposes. So far, the district says no, primarily because each student lost - to home-schooling or private schools - means about $5,000 goes down the drain annually. As we've seen this past year - in fact, since Measure 5 passed - our schools need every cent they can wring out of Salem and local taxpayers to maintain the quality classrooms that residents here have come to expect. On this issue, the district says, more or less, "No thanks. We're No. 1 in Ashland. We're sure you do a great job, but so do we and we'd like to stick around for a while." It's a solid, believable position, one we respect, but it's not sitting well with Waldorf parents. Supporters of Waldorf-inspired teachings nationwide have obviously given up on the public education arena. We can't fault them for that. Public education in America is, at best, bleeding to death before our eyes. Waldorf classes teach basic yet non-traditional curriculum that can really get children and teens interested in learning. We've seen it in action over the past decade, when the Willow Wind Community Learning Center was actually the full-blown Waldorf School of the Rogue Valley. We witnessed great lesson plans and we met caring teachers and outstanding students. But this is Ashland, where quality public education is a priority in the community. People who choose to home-school their children while award-winning schools sit right around the corner have no reason to complain when the school district says, "You can't use our building, but we'll always be happy to make room for your kids." The school district is right to defend its turf on this issue. If Waldorf parents want to, they can find another place to hold their special classes. Otherwise, look into the history and successes of the Ashland School District and wonder whether if you can't beat them, you might want to join them. LINKS: DAILY TIDINGS: Main | News | Sports | Obituaries | Opinion | Columnists | AP News | Subscribe | Archives | Weather | Classifieds | Contact Us | Privacy REVELS: Main | Calendar | Dining | Movies | T.V. OTHER: Road Cams Copyright 2003 Ashland Daily Tidings 541.482.3456. 1661 Siskiyou Blvd., Ashland, OR 97520. Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. - Advertisers -