Bruce Ramsey's op-ed in today's Seattle Times: "Initiative 884 is the wrong way to fund education in this state"
Like any large institution, public education has entrenched interests, among them administrators and unions. Some of the reforms that might make schools more successful — merit pay, rural-urban differential pay, the right to dismiss non-performing employees, parental choice, a longer school year — are resisted by these interests.Indeed.They say, "No. We don't want any of that. Just give us the money." And that is what I-884 does. It gives them the money.
The Times editorial board has already endorsed I-884, so it's good that they're still fostering a debate on the issue on the editorial page. It would also be good if the Times' news desk would do a more thorough job of reporting on the initiative.
I'll be speaking against I-884 at a community forum in North Seattle this Thursday, October 7 at 7:30pm; Haller Lake Community Club, 12579 Densmore Ave N.
Posted by Stefan Sharkansky at October 06, 2004 10:29 AM | Email ThisGood post. Check out http://josef-a-k.blogspot.com for more info on why it's such a bad idea. And while you're at it, you may want to check out the TVW Seattle P-I debate where Marsha Richards and Jamie Daniels pulled off a 1-2 punch against the commie and the dummy. Oh, that's right - they're one and the same!
Best line of the debate was when Marsha noted I-884 will make us feel good for a while but not fix it all.
Second best line: Marsha mentioning the thick fine-print book of school regs!
Third best line: Marsha noting the less than 50 percent spent on "basic education"!
Posted by: Josef on October 6, 2004 03:14 PM