I back public funds for private schools

Kay Bertken (oped June 16) states tax dollars shouldn’t go toward private schooling of children because private schools “restrict a student’s exposure to people who are not like them.”

However, public schools do exactly the same thing and receive funding. Gone are the days of forced desegregation. Should we bring this back? Public school enrollment is based on a family’s free choice of neighborhood, which many times results in a minimum if not total lack of ethnic diversity in public schools. Private school enrollment is also based on free choice made by taxpaying families.

Ms. Bertken says that funding private schools causes a “conflict with our national interests” by “funding sectarian curricula.” Have we progressed to the point our children’s education must be government controlled on which sectarian issues are presented to them?

My grandchildren were introduced to Islam and the Koran at Ahwahnee Middle School, a public school. Public schools also offer the choice of tax-paid extra-curricular subjects. Is she suggesting that government has the power to take away a private school’s choice of extra curriculum or deny funding? If public schools have freedom in extra curriculum choices, why shouldn’t private schools be allowed the same freedom?

This story was originally published June 30, 2017 at 4:18 PM with the headline "I back public funds for private schools."