As I watched the Alamance County commissioners meeting from March 21 I was very disappointed with Commissioner Bill Lashley’s comments concerning our public schools in Alamance County. After a presentation by a spokesman with intentions of starting a new charter school, Mr. Lashley was complimentary of the charter schools in Alamance County.
Mr. Lashley did a disservice to our hardworking teachers, administrators, support staff, and students when he stated that our public schools are failing. Our public schools are a reflection of our communities and neighborhoods. The success of any child is largely determined by the support system that child has after he leaves the classroom. There are many reasons a child may not have the support system he needs to succeed. My research shows grades of charter vs. public schools are very similar.
Homelessness: Alamance-Burlington School System (ABSS) social workers work to identify these children and make sure they get the services available to them. These students may not have access to any books, a computer, or other tools to help them succeed.
It is not unreasonable to understand a child having difficulty learning when they are food or shelter insecure. Sometimes a broken family situation results in a public school being a child’s “safe place.”
Alamance County currently has over 500 students that qualify as homeless under the McKinney Vento Act.
Exceptional children: The challenges for these students can range from behavioral issues to dyslexia. These students often need help from therapists, psychologists, and nurses. Some miss extended school days for medical issues, court dates, etc. ABSS currently has over 3,000 students who classify as exceptional children.
Our teachers work in a very different environment than past generations. Our teachers have to be more aware of the challenges that they may encounter each and every day on a school campus.
North Carolina currently ranks 47th in the nation in per capital spending for public schools. North Carolina is 33rd in teacher pay.
I don’t feel that our local schools are failing, but I do wonder if we are failing them. We need support from our leaders, not criticism.
