Parents snap up school vouchers - teachers turn off lights and AC in protest

Orlando Sentinel ^ | March 3, 2002 | Letitia Stein | Sentinel Staff Writer

[ImpBill]

"It wouldn't be an issue if public education was funded at an adequate level."

In the mind of the NEA and their local affiliates there never is an adequate level. I am ready to turn off the lights in all NEA schools.

It is time to quit calling these dins of lower learning "public schools" and start calling them what they really are - "NEA Schools"

[dreadme]

there would be a litle problem in FLA if my child had been in a class where the "teacher" turned off the lights and a/c as a protest move against a power company.

what does that have to do with teaching the subject matter?

[RedBloodedAmerican]

As a longtime resident of Volusia and having parents and siblings teaching in the school system (public) here since 1972, I can say Vouchers are a GOOD thing.

[RedBloodedAmerican]

What's fun is even if you use vouchers or homeschool and do not enroll your child in the Public Edu system, you still pay the taxes for public education in your area.

Fair? Right?

It's all about $$$.

The schools lose students then they lose funding and money. Dries up their little teacher kitty.

[concerned about politics]

what does that have to do with teaching the subject matter?

They stopped that years ago.
This was a form of mental conditioning. Go home and hate your parents for it.

[ikanakattara]

Some of you know that while conservative and a Christian, I strenuously oppose taxpayer-funded school vouchers. This, however, is a voucher program I *can* get behind and support enthusiastically. If voucher supporters form a private not-for-profit charity, get INS tax-free status, and are able to solicit millions of dollars in *private* money from corporations and wealthy individuals, thus paying out *scholarships* to qualified poor students, who's to complain?

That teachers should protest *private* money going to *private individuals* for *private schools* is not only sad and wrong; it's infuriating. Those complaining obviously don't understand the *LEAST* thing about our American system and basic freedoms. I would like to assign them all a thorough reading of the 1925 Supreme Court decision Pierce v. Society of Sisters, which *upholds* the right of students to a private education, and which declares categorically that "The child is not the mere creature of the State."

[anniegetyourgun]

WHO ARE THE REAL CHILDREN IN THIS STORY?

[concerned about politics]

The 5 year olds who went to school...and never left !!!

[BigWaveBetty]

Happy days are here again! The skies above are clear again!

God Bless Gov. Bush!!!

Reno or McBride are going to have a very difficult time making this into "a bad thing" at election time. hehehehe!

[Skooz]

If the voucher goes to the parent, and the parent has choice among religious and sectarian schools, then there is no Constitutional issue. Period. End of story.

That is absolutely correct. Others here are more knowledgeable of the particulars, but this issue has previously been settled by SCOTUS, I believe pertaining to the GI Bill.

The NEA and ACLU have nothing to stand on. They are just blowing smoke and hoping to win by intimidation. That won't work this time. In a free society, freedom will always triumph over tyranny.

[Skooz]

As they sat helplessly smoldering in their assigned seats in the dark, being punished for crimes they themselves didn't commit.
Being held hostage in protest by the union.
Obey, or the children will suffer the wrath of revenge.

Perfectly stated. Children are just props to these people; Just things to be used as bargaining chips for their own power negotiations. The NEA is pathetic.

[anniegetyourgun]

Now if we could just get the union(s) to be prosecuted for their tactics of intimidation.

[Skooz]

RICO!!

[anniegetyourgun]

What a novel idea, Skooz - to use that law FOR the children instead of against them!

[wattsmag2]

Let them turn off the lights. Hell, CLOSE THE SCHOOLS. Then have a bargain basement sale of all the schools to the new privatized educators.

[inquest]

Separation of school & state wins

Well, not qute just yet. As long as the state's still footing the bill, we still don't have separation.

[1Old Pro]

Let public schools and the teachers unions wither on the vine.

[Always Right]

"The concept of this is good and commendable, but its execution in terms of funneling the vast bulk, if not all, of the money to parochial schools has the state involved in supporting private and religious schools at the expense of the neighborhood public schools."

Translation: "It really sucks we can't discriminate against those damn Christian schools."

[floriduh voter]

What's with photos not showing up? I thought it was just mine but Betty, I'm not seeing your excellent pic.

They need to use the Nelly Furtado song "Turn Out the Lights" for their big protest. And what's the big deal about A/C? I hate A/C and only use it in the dog days of summer. When I was in school here in Fla, WE DIDN'T EVEN HAVE A/C. I'll find Nelly's cd and paste it here. LOL

[floriduh voter]

The St. Pete Times yesterday stated "Voucher Plan May Increase Funds for Public Schools". A study suggests that the state would save when students leave for private schools. An analysis of Florida's new corporate tax credit scholarship program by a Tallahassee-based think tank has concluded that the new voucher program does not divert money from the public schools.

My buddy Rob McMahon, the head of the Pinellas Classroom Teacher's Association SWEARS that he represents all of his membership but clearly, he is radical. He wants to send a message to Florida Power because FP is donating five million dollars to the scholarship program. I'm sure that Florida Power had a huge drop in stock by Rob's actions. If you visit the Pinellas Classroom Teacher's Association, you can send him a personal email. I recommend it. He may not answer you but he'll have to read it. "Turn Out The Lights, Rob McMahon, a great song by Nelly Furtado. You were probably too dense to think of using it for your little tirade yesterday! I've contacted him before and he emailed me back but only once. Floriduh Voter.