Top Ten Reasons to Vote FOR Mecklenburg County School Bonds

Charlotte, NC has sustained rapid growth (7th fastest since 2000) that has put us on the map-- and has overcrowded most of our higher quality schools (34 portables at one elementary).  This overcrowding in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg School District is a "noose around the  neck" of the local real estate industry, agents and brokers alike. Charlotte is a family town, and nothing is more important to families than their schools. This Bond should pass, but a determined and vocal opposition beat the last Bond referendum in a low turn out vote... It's not only vital  we pass this bond measure, we need to beat it BIG, 2 or 3 to 1 to shut them up.  

This won't be the David Letterman type list, but the reasons are important so grab a cup of coffee and take a minute to think along with me about our public schools and how we pay for them. Which is your favorite? Did I miss one?

Top Ten Reasons to VOTE YES for the School Bonds

1. It is a compromise, but a fair one.
It is only the first installment ($516M towards 1.4B  needs)towards resolving all the building needs of the 19th largest school system in the nation. Many very real needs won't be met with this bond-- so some citizens must look beyond their immediate needs, and trust that we will do the next two installments, so that those needs are met and everyone benefits. Don't let them divide us.

2.Today's children are tomorrows leaders, citizens or criminals.
It is much cheaper to educate than imprison-- average annual CMS cost per student per year, $5800, Average College Tuition $10,000, average prison inmate cost $24,000 per year. It's the economics!

3. The #1 Reason business give for relocating here-a highly skilled and trained workforce.
Did you know that by 2014, 80% of all factory jobs will require post-secondary education, factory jobs! We want more business in Charlotte, we need more quality schools, note the business council and Chamber of Commerce are 100% behind these bonds. Or we could be like those Northern cities where when kids graduate there are no jobs so they move elsewhere.
It's the economics!

4. Test scores rose 13% in Superintendent Gorman's first year.
Scores rose 13% for students performing at grade level, and he recognizes it's only a start, there is still a long way to go. And there is. Still, a good Return On Investment for one year.

5. It's an investment in the city of Charlotte's future.
The most successful government program ever? The GI Bill that made college education affordable to the Greatest Generation-- Investments in Education are PROVEN, they WORK, we just need to remember our own history. Like to make the state of North Carolina great? Provide great educations for the children- that simple.

6. Pay me now or pay, me later said the old television commercial.
I said this before but it bears repeating: 1/2 of all prison inmates are high school drop outs.

7. Doesn't your child deserve the best you and (we) your community can offer?
Isn't that what parenting is about? Can you imagine any parent feels that different about their kids? Then why is it so difficult to see that everyone in this county (and country) deserves the same? Because it is expensive? Because it is hard? While buildings aren't sufficient for a great education, they are a very necessary part of the education matrix. I don't think its to much to ask, roofs that don't leak, facilities that are safe, science labs in all high schools, music and arts funding and a football stadium. No, Americans can and have overcome harder more expensive things in the past. Every child deserves a quality education, taught by good teachers. That is not too much to demand.

8.It is who we are, a nation committed to all of its citizens. Ben Franklin and Thomas Jefferson knew that to run a democratic republic, the public must be educated, and public education was born. This is no time to turn our back on their wise council.

9.Our children are part of the future of our nation-- and if you believe that this country is great, you have to put your money where your mouth is... and that goes to the federal level as well- a month's spending in Iraq would pay for half the new schools needed across the whole country.

10. Some say the schools are run so poorly that it's throwing good money after bad. This is just wrong here- go into the schools and see for yourself. Or, "My child's graduated, or goes to private school, why do should I pay?" Because this country has been dedicated to providing public education since its inception 230 years ago. No, these arguments are selfishness disguised by thin excuses, the real attitude? "I've got mine, who cares about everybody else?" These are not the values that have made this country great, and thankfully they are not close to a majority view here either, just a loud minority.

As for me, I believe in Charlotte's future, that her best days are ahead, and that requires investing in education. I'll happily stand with Franklin and Jefferson in the commitment to public education- it is absolute necessity to a functioning democracy. And as we teach our children the ideals of our founders, we find ourselves recommitting to those same principles ... something else of value.

Let's defeat this BIG Time, 2 or 3 to 1.

VOTE FOR CHARLOTTE'S FUTURE. Vote For The School Bond November 6. Vote FOR the land acquisition. Vote AGAINST transit repeal.

See the complete link in my local blog