Letters, oh they get letters

Big congrats go out to our very own Sarah Fadness, who has a letter to the editor printed today about the Milwaukee Parental Choice Program (last letter on the page):

Funding is the problem in our public schools

Patrick McIlheran's Jan. 4 column supporting school choice chose to ignore the real problem in public schools: equitable funding ("Changing city puts school choice in new light").

There is an incredible difference between the education of children who are born into affluent communities and those who live in poverty. During the 2002-'03 school year, the Maple Dale-Indian Hill School District spent $13,955 per student. Milwaukee Public Schools spent $10,874. This $3,081 difference may not seem extreme until we begin to look at how that money could influence a school.

I teach at an MPS middle school. We enroll more than 800 students; $3,081 multiplied for each of our 800 students is a stunning $2,464,800 for my school alone. If I were in charge of the budget, I know exactly what I would do with that money: I would hire more teachers to reduce class sizes. Common sense--and research--tells us that a lower student-to-teacher ratio is what is really best for students, learning and student achievement.

The problem is certainly not a lack of choice. The problem is the failure to invest in every child in the state, not just those from the affluent school districts.

Way to go, Sarah--spot on. Now just watch out for the mail and phone calls from the wackos . . .