I rise in objection to authorizing this charter, but also -- to question of the legitimacy of this particular authorizer, which if we accept, I believe makes this a sad day for democracy. Because no citizen should EVER have to stand in front of a tribunal that represents an establishment of religion in order to give testimony about how best to use our public tax dollars. To add insult to injury, this same establishment stands to receive some of those tax dollars for itself. And does so despite Article One, Section 6 of the Indiana Constitution, which states: “No money shall be drawn from the treasury, for the benefit of any religious or theological institution.”
Now, I have no doubt the governor and his ALEC-led supermajority can find loopholes to exploit in their crusade to privatize our schools and theocratize our state government. And with the Indiana Supreme court in thrall, as shown by the sleight-of-hand vouchers decision, I expect nothing different of this travesty.
So forgive me if I find it ironic that a group of people, who in their rhetoric claim to be guardians of first principles, would seek out this establishment of religion, this theological institution, as its authorizer and sponsor. Because isn’t the first principle of our nation really that of constitutional government itself?
In fact, this whole process is educational taxation without representation. No one in this room cast a vote for those now deciding how these tax dollars might be spent. This board has no local ties, no stake in our community’s future, and will never have to answer for the damage this boondoggle will inflict.
Seven Oaks was rejected outright once by the Indiana Charter School Board, and withdrew its next application to avoid a second rejection. Now, here we have its third copied and pasted application, which still presents neither credible evidence of its potential efficacy as a school, nor a reasonable plan to succeed – hence the prior rejections. But I suppose no matter how slipshod your product, if you knock on enough doors eventually someone will buy what you’re selling – so why fix it?
Our American public school system is facing problems rained upon it like incendiary bombs by those seeking to burn it down, and it needs all the resources it can get. But despite those problems, it has given millions of students an exceptional education and a great American experience. It is our American public school system which is the true crucible of democracy, because, despite its problems, it is the American public school system which best embodies that uniquely American principle: E Pluribus Unum.
Now, I have no doubt the governor and his ALEC-led supermajority can find loopholes to exploit in their crusade to privatize our schools and theocratize our state government. And with the Indiana Supreme court in thrall, as shown by the sleight-of-hand vouchers decision, I expect nothing different of this travesty.
So forgive me if I find it ironic that a group of people, who in their rhetoric claim to be guardians of first principles, would seek out this establishment of religion, this theological institution, as its authorizer and sponsor. Because isn’t the first principle of our nation really that of constitutional government itself?
In fact, this whole process is educational taxation without representation. No one in this room cast a vote for those now deciding how these tax dollars might be spent. This board has no local ties, no stake in our community’s future, and will never have to answer for the damage this boondoggle will inflict.
Seven Oaks was rejected outright once by the Indiana Charter School Board, and withdrew its next application to avoid a second rejection. Now, here we have its third copied and pasted application, which still presents neither credible evidence of its potential efficacy as a school, nor a reasonable plan to succeed – hence the prior rejections. But I suppose no matter how slipshod your product, if you knock on enough doors eventually someone will buy what you’re selling – so why fix it?
Our American public school system is facing problems rained upon it like incendiary bombs by those seeking to burn it down, and it needs all the resources it can get. But despite those problems, it has given millions of students an exceptional education and a great American experience. It is our American public school system which is the true crucible of democracy, because, despite its problems, it is the American public school system which best embodies that uniquely American principle: E Pluribus Unum.