Massachusetts charter school teacher representing! Interestingly, my coworkers are split on question 2. Part of me feels our public school system needs to be improved before we look towards other charters, even though money enters the public school system for every child that enrolls in a charter. I'm split!
Massachusetts definitely is not going to go red despite all the east Boston Trump supporters though, that's for sure.
I'm somewhat torn as well. I have some bias as a former teacher for a reform-minded ed organization, though I taught at an urban public school.
Given the restrictions on population served in the ballot question, I'm satisfied supporting charters at that level. I'm not surprised there is some disagreement amongst teachers - the MTA and even NEA are very involved.
I voted no on charters. I just can't gey past how much the yes campaign is lying instead of just showing the success of charters in the state. The influx of outside money makes me pause as well.
It's more about being able to point to Massachusetts so they can open up less regulated and more profitable schools in more desperate states.
I also have an issue with funding if charters, since it is pulling money out of the most disadvantaged schools, concentrating even more failure in poor preforming public schools.
It's a hard issue, because the well regulated charters in Mass do seem to be preforming very well. But, even with expansion not everyone can go to one, and the ballot unitive should be balanced with fixing public entities as well to protect those who aren't lucky enough to make the cut.
Personally, I think the No campaign has been more casual with the facts. 10 charters aren't going to bleed the state's education budget dry; Boston in fact has the highest per-pupil spending in the country and MA is very high when looked at from a state level.
It's an interesting place for the debate to be happening, since Mass and Boston schools are by and large high-performing when compared nationwide. I'm almost certain No will win - education is a big industry in Boston, and "It will take money from our public schools" is a compelling, if only half-true, argument.
Like I said, I'm torn, but I settled on voting yes.
I'm curious on your reasoning against the additional slot parlor... but I can't remember where it was slated to go some maybe that would effect you.
Da fuck at that school price tag!?!? Plymouth built two new high schools for half that cost, and the state picked up half the bill. What in the world....
Re: Slots - Honestly I don't feel strongly, but I feel with the casino opening up in Everett, that should be enough for the time being until it's constructed. I live close by in Somerville (given that the wording says it has to be close to a horse track, I can only imagine that means Suffolk Downs).
The price tag for the HS is absurd, and assuredly will be even higher as every similar project in the area has been. Give me a toned-down version and I'm on board.
