Letter to the Editor: Bullying Could Ruin Public Education

Dear Editor:

Many autistic and otherwise disabled students are LEAVING the traditional school system for charter and cyber charter schools. Bullying is very much a problem for these students in a traditional brick-and-mortar school. Where does [] think these kids are getting services from? It is not from local school districts, it is from charter schools.

If traditional brick-and-mortar schools want to keep students, then they must provide parents a safe place to send their kids, and make sure they are learning. If you can't do that, you don't deserve to have the students in your school.

I for one want my children to learn about their community, but I don't feel they need to traverse an environment of social stigma and violence currently found in district schools to accomplish this task. Voucher programs ALLOW poorer families to remove their children from these situations and into programs in which their children can florish.

Mr. Lesky, I'm sorry, but you are dead wrong. The only thing that is hurt by charter and voucher programs is your pocket book. Children and parents -- poor, miseducated, undereducated, disabled and autistic -- all benefit. Rebuild the school system and be a part of the solution these families are looking for.

Sincerely,

Christine Emmick