Document text
Guest forum: On Waldorf, alternative choices By Kathy Merrick Ashland As a native of Montana newly transplanted in Ashland, I'm surprised by the rhetoric being thrown around regarding the request from a group of Waldorf parents to rent a classroom in the empty Briscoe School building. It's regretful that this is viewed by the newspaper and the Superintendent's office as a "competition" or a "turf" issue or even a matter of one side "beating" another. I heard all this in the small, traditional ranching community I just moved from, but to hear it in a city like Ashland that takes pride in its tolerance, diversity, and enlightenment is puzzling. No one really has a "hard time understanding why the school district doesn't want competition." We all know it's all about money. What Juli Di Chiro seems to be forgetting is these children are NOT the district's children worth $5000 a head, and the building is a public building paid for by public funds. She works for all those people who pay taxes, not jut the ones whose children go to public school. And the public has a right to ask questions and make requests. It may be annoying, inconvenient, or uncomfortable, but it's her job to listen politely to those people. The district is not an entity unto itself. It is an administrative body that represents the interests of the people it serves. It is funded by and granted authority by the public. Parents do not owe the district their children so it can garner $5000 each; therefore, parents are not "taking students away" from the district, thus costing the district money when they make alternative choices in education. They still pay school taxes AND often support the additional activities levy AND shoulder the financial responsibility for whatever alternative education they choose. To say supporters of Waldorf teachings have "given up on public education" is faulty and inflammatory logic. Just because public education is the norm and has a monopoly on public funds does not make it the obvious place for every child. Alternative choices are positive choices. One looks at all the options; public, private, home or parochial, and tries to make the best choice for one's child. How arrogant of public education to declare that if someone chooses an alternative, it must mean he or she doesn't like public schools. Public education assumes its place at the top of the list because it is the biggest kid on the block, that's all. That doesn't necessarily make it the lodestone by which every other option is measured. It's a very positive decision to say, "I want this option (whatever it is) for my child." It's a very negative decision to say, "I hate public schools, so now I'll see what else is out there." These Waldorf parents (not homeschool parents, as you mistakenly stated in your editorial) do not seem to have any interest in trying to "beat" the Ashland School District. They are making a reasonable request for space, as are other entities such as OSF. One wishes the district could get the dollar signs out of its eyes long enough for its vision to clear so it could see that the interests of children should take priority over the interests of institutions. But we all know it's all about money. Letters to the editor: Think before you spend Recently the Multicultural Association (MCA) had a car wash for the Overnight Kids Camp. Every year we gather at Lake of the Woods. Many who attend camp are foster kids who have been bounced from home to home. The mission of MCA is to decrease prejudice, hate and ignorance. We partner with Southern Oregon Indian Center for this healthy Native American Immersion experience. We are so grateful to those whose cars we washed and to Butler Ford for providing the space, towels, and water. What a fine way to support worthwhile community groups! The sun was blazing hot! I was reminded of a bumper sticker "it will be a great day when the military conducts a bake sale for missiles while the schools are funded". Why do we still struggle in sophisticated 21st century communities to pay for health care and schools? Why do we still pay for war? Why do we spend "unwise" money; saving ourselves a few shekles while supporting egregious business models like Walmart? The same dollars could support a number of community stores, friends and neighbors. What would happen if we voted for Mr. Rogers for president rather than a corporate slut. When will we learn that our communities are our most precious commodity? Their health depends on our wise stewardship of our own personal dollars. So, think before you spend. And spend as if your entire community depended on it. Because it does. Suzy Aufderheide, Ashland What happened to our AFN? You reported the recent, and increasingly common, downing of Internet service to the Ashland area as if it were a "golly!" situation. For many of us, it wasn't and won't be. Why wasn't AFN designed with redundancy? Why does AFN contract with providers who also lack redundancy? Isn't it about time Ashland had some assurances that down time will be hourly or momentarily at most, not days? AFN is not a sophisticated bargain if it doesn't work. Thomas Walters, Ashland 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 -