Charter School Amendment: Don’t Deny Children the Opportunity I Have Had

Dear Editor:

Many people are opposed to the Charter School Amendment, and many people are opposed to charter schools in general. I go to Odyssey Charter School, in Newnan, Georgia. I have gone to Odyssey since I was in kindergarten. I have been at the same school for nine years.

Going to a charter school has been a very unique and beneficial experience. I believe that I have done more and accomplished more than I could ever accomplish at a traditional public school. Yet, many of my “role models” oppose establishing another opportunity for children to get a quality education. Why, you might ask? It’s plain and simple. Some people are more worried about money and power than the education your child receives.

People are so worried about the money lost that they do not realize that no money is actually being lost. All a state charter school does is offer an alternative to the traditional system. None of your local tax dollars go to a state charter school instead of the traditional school, and you lose no money with the establishment of a state charter school. Any argument made otherwise is incorrect, and, to be frank, a flat-out lie.

Why do kids at a traditional public school deserve more than me, my friends, and my fellow classmates? Why should they receive more of your tax dollars anyway? Am I worth less than the average kid at Arnall? What people don’t realize is that voting no to charter schools is voting no to the thousands of kids who want a choice in their education.

The hypocrisy in everything I see is baffling. You may tell people that they care about your kid, people may tell you that they care about your kid, but the reality is: The people who vote no to charter schools care more about the money your kid brings to them. They want to control the education to receive the most money possible. If you are opposed to charter schools, then don’t send your kid to one. But please, don’t deny children the opportunity to have the same experience I have had.

-Eric Geeter, 8th Grade Student, Odyssey School, Newnan, GA