Yet again .... another rambling personal opinion being thrown out for people to be confused by. I find it humorous that you say "This is not about a parent’s choice and free will; it’s about making money off of our hard earned tax dollars where we all need every dime and resource to go to our kids". You do know that during the *emergency hearing* that District 308 Board Members confirmed that the proposed per student cost seemed high and then went on to PROUDLY announce that they spend less per child than the other surrounding school districts. I don't know about you but when I think about the tax dollars being paid by us and then obviously not fully spent for the educational school system that our children are currently enrolled in, that seems like a bigger concern to me than whether or not we allow the district to approve a charter school that statistically less than 1% of the children in the district will even participate in. So yes .. it is about free choices and responsible choices and in this day we should be allowed to have both.

Oh, come on! Why not "think outside the box"? I'd be for anything that pulls the poor students who are brainwashed by the educators who are supported by a union that doesn't care about students, away from the buildings that look more like prisons than academic centers. Times are changing rapidly! Get with it! We all are being forced to accept all kinds of changes we may not like, so why shouldn't the school system have to make changes? But of course, the vote will go against the charter idea. Change has to happen to everything and everyone except the educational "elite". Make sure the students on every level get notes to take home to their parents warning them of the dire consequences of any change to the norm!
You must put a stop to this at once. You dare not allow this to take place. What will happen to society if students learn from sources other than the Public school gods? I can see society crumbling now. Oh, dear......

While this Charter school may not be ideal there are plenty out there that are very good! As a taxpayer and parent I would like to see more choices as my children aren't a one size fits all. I'm not worried about sports or other activities as my kids get plenty of outside interaction and are involved with numerous clubs outside of 308.

I'm very worried about this district not because of charter schools but because we are in serious financial trouble. I've asked a few candidates along with school personnel and it seems we have no money to operate the new additions that are being built. Asking the taxpayer for more of the same is the only way to move forward, as a taxpayer and single parent I will not be voting in favor of tapping the old maple tree for more.

David there will be many who are in favor of a charter school for various reasons. People are tired of the same old song and dance. When you look at the actual dollars to educate in the public school system it's very high if you figure in the "real cost" per student.

$468,000.000.00 and growing, that's the mess 308 has found itself in. In a little over 3 1/2 years that total will be a "HALF a BILLION" dollars. Good Lord how on earth will we ever be able to pay this off. This district is in serious trouble and not far off from the state taking over, great job!

Unions do contribute to political campaigns so it happens on both sides of the fence. Politics 101.

Just so there isn't any "confusion" here. You all understated that this is not a physical school of any kid. It is being done by a local start up company backed by another that is not from this this state? It is all on line sitting at home. if we have the dire financial situation as noted above, why would we let something like this come in that has multiple problems? And yes, this is certainly my opinion, but I do encourage everyone to look into this company and read about the many facts that can be found fairly easily. If you dislike the public school system that much or Oswego for that matter - you do have the choice to move or find a private school on the area of your choice. No one is stopping you from doing that.

Yes, David. I understand what this sort of school is. I didn't graduate from college, but I am not illiterate. I imagine there are many people who are involved in this kind of situation who would write glowing recommendations. Perhaps we'll hear from some of them. I always thought homeschooling was a great idea. Dislike the public school? Dislike Oswego? No. I don't live in Oswego, but do live in Kendall County. I dislike the way we are taxed for nonessentials. I would like to see lots of changes to the way taxpayers take a hit for every item some official desires. I don't expect to see such changes. Politicians will always vote for swiping more money from our pockets. And when they have to, they'll steal it from our bank account just like Cyprus is doing. Where have the sensible people gone?

Kibitzer, I read about Cyprus today. What do you think the people of Oswego would say if our banks decided to keep 10% of their savings or checking to keep them from going belly up. US should take note of this one.

David, how long have you lived here? I'm assuming it's not as long as me (54yrs) and I could say the same thing to you, move! I've always loved my hometown and have no plans on moving if I can help it. What I will not do is put the needs of my family second to anyone or anything. In case you aren't aware the country is dealing with a budget crisis and I'm guessing it won't be resolved anytime soon. Veterans will be facing cuts, seniors will have to stretch their already tight budgets and it'll probably be a cold day in Phoenix before we see any of what's owed to us by the state.

What I am tired of hearing is the me, me, me and I want it all now no matter how much it cost. "It's for the children" what a bunch of malarkey. People who followed the yellow brick road to the land of Oswego and got taken... hook, line and sinker. If it sounds too good to be true, it usually is!

What the district is doing right now is not working, changes are needed no matter what they might be. $ 500,000,000.00 is a huge problem that needs to addressed NOW!

Walt. Have lived here since 1976. My parents still live here and we make our business here. Very proud to call Oswego my home. I wrote an opinion about on an online charter school that does nothing to solve the issues with public schools today. It does just the opposite ironically based on the facts i found. Yet I read remarks about Greece, the US budget and on and on???????

@David - I'm with Walt and Kibitzer. Your thinking and many others like you are keeping us mired in the same old - same old. I just posted on the Yorkville meeting article but I'll repost my comments from the other article to be sure you see them. I don't know the perfect answer but I want to try something new to see if it works. Where are your answers? Maybe K12 is the wrong charter but maybe we should look at another option. But let's be realistic, the unions will not give up dues paying, tenured teachers and the administration won't give up their HUGE salaries without a major battle. What will force them to change? Your editorial comments? I doubt it. Forcing a competing school system just might help change their minds.

One of maybe a dozen people attending the Yorkville meeting tonight. Comments were all against except for me. I don't know if this is the right company to work with but it is time the schools get away from bricks and mortar and union strangleholds. Those voicing against this company tonight were Dem politicians, ex-school teachers, and school social workers. I expect that from them. All schools have built the wall of protection against anyone not dancing to their dance. Fight the school & you're a leper. This needs to change. The company didn't convince me to vote for them. The school districts caused K-12 to be short-staffed tonight. The schools involved waited until the mandatory 30 days(public hearing rqts) and then scheduled 10 meetings on the same night. The person representing K12 couldn't answer half the questions because the proper people were spread across the Fox Valley. Was that fair? I think not. Dr Wakely stated the taxpayers of Yorkville school district would have their taxes increased $1.04M-$1.1M over 5 years going with this proposal. If his information is truthful then I join with the vote no group. However, he didn't convince me he was telling the whole story. My whole point is that we must do something. 5 generations schooled here and I believe my grandkids are now getting a lesser education than I did. That needs to change. Charter schools may be a valid option. If Yorkville loses 25 students from all grades & taxes don't rise then maybe it's worth trying.

Mark. I appreciate your open and thoughtful response. The issue for me personally is this company and how they operate. I am all for other options in education, doing the same thing and standing in place is not an option either. People are saying they are for this just because they think its an option to stick it to the public schools. If K12 was not prepared for this meeting, that is their fault. They drove these meetings and agenda - how could they not be prepared for this? That in itself says a lot about them. Keep in mind also, if the boards vote this down, it's not over for K12. They have other options and avenues to do this as I understand it. It's only the beginning of a long battle.

Thanks Mark. Your very last point on your last post is the best thing said of all here. Thanks for engaging and also listing your true full name when doing so.

First, this is a public school. Second, its the parents choice to attend or not and the only money going with the child is the GSA that would go to the school district if they had to educate the child, which has a cost in both space and manpower to the district. Public education has not improved with the rest of the world, thats a fact. When people can decide where they want their education dollars spent, those entities competing for those resouces will have to provide a service that is both effective AND efficient, or they will lose out regardless if the entities are for or not-for-profit. This IS about choice and who should be making that decsion, a bureaucrat, or a parent. Yes, public eduction is threatened by someone putting a dent in their monopoly and they should be concerned, given their track record of achievement and horrific costs.
We need more options and choices, not less.

It is up to a child's parent to determine what is best for their child, not any member of any board. A choice is always better than a non-choice.

For most of us opposed to this proposal, it's not about taking away choice. It's about this particular choice being a bad one...bad for students, bad for parents and certainly bad for taxpayers.

I homeschool one child and two others attend public school, so I'm exercising choice, at considerable personal expense no less. I have done extensive research for homeschooling my daughter, which included K12. That research led me to the conclusion that it is not a company I would want to use for a homeschool nor a virtual charter school.

Thanks Greg, as a candidate would you vote in favor of this program being proposed from K12 and do you see any issues with them at all? For those who say public education has not improved or any better than before. My daughter at 4th grade speaks and writes Spanish and English of course both fluently. Having come up through 308 since first grade myself we did not have that option back then as my daughter does today. With that, do you support dual language programs as well? Is that a good choice to offer?

I don't believe the reasons given by those who post, against this choice idea,( no matter who runs the charter school), are not driven by some vested interest. Besides their child's education, I mean. People against this "new-fangled" system to allow citizen taxpayers to choose the best for their child, only care about their or a friend's or a relative's pocketbook. Of course this problem, when weighed against what is ahead of us as a nation once we are being hit with nukes, really is a small one. And perhaps the schools that look like prisons will be a haven for people who have to run to them for cover. If you think I'm kidding, check out some real news sometime.

That’s one of the biggest fallacies there is, that it’s your education tax dollars so you should essentially be able to spend it how you see fit. When you pay taxes it all goes to the taxing body to use as they see fit. We elect people to decide how to spend tax dollars with the notion that taxes should be used for the benefit of the community/state/nation and not a specific individual.
Why can’t the online school operate as a private school and charge tuition? Rightly or wrongly you at least know where the money is being spent in #308. Is that the case with this charter application? How did they come up with that figure and how much profit do they make of off of $8,000 in tax payer dollars. Since everybody likely wouldn’t take it couldn’t #308 offer online learning as a supplement to what takes place already? We already have IT folks, computers, infrastructure, etc. which should reduce the cost to do this in house to less than $8,000 a student I would think.

the world needs ditch diggers too.

To those who attended tonight's meeting and saw the snake oil sales pitch, the non-answers, the back pedaling when pressed to an answer: thank you for showing up. This is a FOR profit company - that wants to take 18 districts - and have virtually no accountability to OUR district for the kids it would theoretically be teaching. And calling 80% *mastery*. I am by no means against progress - or even against charter or online schools. But this particular instance seems like the wrong opportunity for 308. Take your time, ladies and gentlemen. Because the most at-risk kids will be even MORE at risk under the proposal on the table, based on the non-answers I heard tonight. Those who face hunger when meals aren't provided. Those who need the social interaction. Those who need a TEACHER - not just dots on a screen. There is likely a happy medium - K12 educational services does not seem like the right place or the right time.

Ah, then! This is what my hard earned tax dollars goes for: food for hungry children, social interaction, and a flesh and blood teacher? And you say the meeting was a "snake oil sales pitch"? I've seen plenty of that kind of "sales pitch" in the media whenever there is an election for people who take my tax money for whatever they feel is important. What is it about any threat of change that makes so many people squirm? Don't answer, (as if anyone would in honesty!), I'm pretty sure after all my years as a taxpaying voter I know the answer.

If a virtual school is in the future for 308 it should be on 308's terms. It should be put out to bid - driven by the district(s) needs and not by a for profit company's wants. There were too few answers to simple questions. And, if you didn't show up to actually *see* and *hear* the answers to the questions, I find your input here somewhat meaningless. A lot of pot-stirring. Pontification.

I watched the meeting on the web, and while there were some points that were hard to hear got the general gist. The K12 responses were of the same kind we get from many candidates. He did go over some of the major concerns. I don't see the issue, no one will force parents to choose this option. It just makes it available. I really don't like that I am in agreement with certain folks, but I gotta say I don't see that choice is bad. If the district comes out with it's own online program, then we will have another choice, and that is good, parents will choose what is best for them. As for Kibitzer, I don't mind that some of my tax dollars go to feed hungry kids. Really, are you that cold that you can't give a little so that a hungry kid can eat. And having teachers available, either in school or on line is necessary, most people need some help at some point. I just do agree that choice is good, in fact great, so I think we should do this.

For all those naysayers on the virtual school concept please explain why a parent’s choice is so bad. If you want to argue the tax money loss then have all the numbers before making up your own and remember that this isn’t “required” but a parent’s choice. Here are the actual numbers affected based on news sources data:
Could affect 18 Fox Valley school districts—which serve more than 250,000 students in grades K-12
The charter school hopes to have 500 students in its first year and 2,000 by the fifth year of its five-year charter. That equates to .2% or 2 students out of 1000 or between 10-30 students from each of the 18 school districts.
K12 Virtual Schools LLC (K12), which provides online education to 100,000 students "in distance learning programs in all 50 states.
Based on this data it would seem we are talking about such a small group it appears strange that the world is against trying this. Does the school feel threatened to have competition? It used to be that schools bragged about their forward thinking, new concept teaching methods. All it appears to be today is to tear anything down that isn’t in the school’s plans/interest.
Ask yourself why our schools are afraid of giving 12 students out of 5400 a chance at something that might actually work for their son or daughter?

the tax dollars siphoned was the last straw -- the inability to answer questions, crafting responses to larger problems - and not being able to answer seemingly obvious questions on the fly - it's not virtual school or charter school I oppose - I oppose the manner in which this for-profit company is trying to railroad 308 into something they may or may not be ready to do. Parents *already* have the choice, if they so choose, to homeschool, private school -- or even K12's online school. The choices already exist. So the money and where it is sourced *is* the bottom line. Parents DO have the choice already. And this parent thinks this needs more time before it can roll out effectively.

Here is why the naysayers are all school chums. John Stossel says it straight.
The Blob That Eats Kids

By John Stossel

Published March 19, 2013 | FoxNews.com

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I blame teachers unions a lot for our failed education system. But they aren't the only ones responsible. In this week's syndicated column, I take on the education "Blob".

The Blob includes the teachers unions, but also janitors and principals unions, school boards, PTA bureaucrats, local politicians and so on.

They hold power because the government's monopoly on K-12 education eliminates most competition. Kids are assigned to schools, and a bureaucracy decides who goes where and who learns what. Over time, its tentacles expand and strangle attempts to reform. Since they have no fear of losing their jobs to competitors, monopoly bureaucrats can resist innovation for decades.

The Blob hates competition. Ben Chavis started 3 schools in Oakland, California. His school's work. They have the high test scores to prove it.

So what does the education Blob decide to do? Shut his schools down.
(cont)

(cont)
School board members don't like Chavis. I understand why. He's obnoxious. Arrogant. He probably broke some rules. For example, he's accused of making a profit running his schools. Horrors! A profit!

If he did profit, I say, so what? He still got top test results with less government money. Good for him!

But the Blob doesn't like success that's outside its monopoly. It doesn't matter that Chavis has now resigned from the school's board. Oakland may still close his schools. Think about that. As measured by student achievement, his schools are the best. But the Blob doesn't care. And the Blob has the power of government behind it.

Read more: http://www.foxbusiness.com/on-air/stossel/blog/2013/03/19/blob-eats-kids/print#ixzz2O5U0N7k1

students learn more than facts at school. They learn *how* to learn. They learn from observing. They learn from example, from interaction, from one another, and from the teacher. The programs described by K12 sound like enrichment programs, not teaching. The student-teacher ratio was not clear. The one-on-one time didn't seem obvious. I cannot for a minute imagine *any* kindergartener would benefit from sitting in front of a computer screen for 8 hours a day. Learning to share, learning personal space, learning manners are way more critical in kindergarten - and you can't get those skills from a screen. They get those skills from teachers, aides, parents in the classroom, and from interactions at the lunch table. Communally. Every day. Not once a month (or some other number, a one-room school house with kids of all ages)

Re-taking tests until you achieve 80%? Really? Tell me. How many times, adults, have you been given as many times as you need to get something right (a speeding ticket? A proposal? A sales pitch?) Seriously. Can you imagine being able to take the SATs over and over until you got a 1600? (I know that number is antiquated). What about a final exam? Retake, same exact questions, until you got it right? Who needs to cheat? That system encourages it!

Our kids deserve better than this company is offering. 308 can do better. Design a program that includes online components. RFP next year! NO K12 this year!

I was just reading through the corporate information -- looks like Kaplan got out of the K12 business a couple of years ago. I am wondering *why* ? they are a for-profit company, owned by the Washington Post (WPO). I am wondering if the online model is not effective for elementary kids, whereas for graduate programs and college-level programs, they are still in the game. Dave - understand, I am not anti-choice - or anti-charter, or even anti-online per se. Knowing what I know about RFP process in other districts in our back yard and around the country -- the process of this one seems off-kilter. It seems that this is an entirely profit-driven and motivated initiative, not an initiative from educators attempting to give better choices to parents and kids. I think it's healthy to ask the questions - and to expect answers if we are to entrust our kids to an outside, for-profit agency. I've been very close to it for many years - perhaps that is why I am so leery of what I'm seeing and hearing?

To directly answer your question regarding competition - if an RFP goes out - and if it has built-in measures to gauge superiority - that's how we'd know.

thanks, Dave. I also wonder why 308 seems to be getting a shotgun opportunity. What is wrong with waiting a year - to see the results from the districts to our north - unless, of course, they *need* 308 to make *their* numbers work for state funding, which is my assumption, based on the sales pitch I felt in that room. And if that's the case, why not be honest about it -- or offer financial incentive to 308 to make it work ? Is that legal? (I don't know). I really didn't understand the urgency, the first-time information-gathering by the board -- the necessity to get it done by 3/31 -- that's where my "snake oil" comments originate.

Pot stirring? Pontification? Meaningless input? And further, I'm cold-blooded over feeding a hungry child? Not that my motives need clarifying, but being almost completely deaf, if you, Dave, think you had a hard time hearing...... I've tried to attend a city council meeting and heard nothing except whatever was relayed to me by another. No.... hearing aids cannot help me. Pot stirring? Some politicians have been known to try to do that. And many online commentors. I am not cold towards the feeding of children. I just like to choose where my private funds go. Heard of food pantries? I give to them often. Heard of private groups who house, clothe and feed people daily? I will not name my gift receivers, but I am on record at several places for regularly contributing toward helping the less fortunate. I am not bragging, for I should do much more. But I won't let my opinions about matters that affect hard working taxpayers be tossed out by some trying to take my opinions and label me as "cold" or having no weight in public discourse. There are probably others with valid opinions who hesitate to share them on sites like this. Their hearts may be in the right place, but perhaps they can't get to meetings, or stand and share their thoughts in public forums, etc. We should discount people in such situations. Their ideas are probably just meaningless pontification.

First of all, I'm not sorry I am almost completely deaf. I don't have to hear a lot of annoying sounds that are around me daily. You know, ordinary sounds of society? Motorcycles, loud train horns, and on. I don't read the posts of responders on here looking for agreement. I rather like the people who will bother to take others to task if they don't agree. Look up the meaning of "Kibitzer" to understand why I'd choose that name. One of these days I may respond to something and say my "real" name. I have a few good reasons to hold off on that. Actually, it'd only be a handful of local people who would say , "oh good grief.... it's THAT person!" And really, I looked up the meaning of "sarcasm" again just to make sure I can use it occasionally, and it does, indeed, have a place in many discussions. So glad some people can recognize it.

Good

Why just have a choice between this outfit and the public schools. Why not give vouchers to all kids to use as they see best.

I'm more concerned with overcrowded classrooms and lack of space than anything. I think we would get a reasonable estimate on how many children we would have. It would be a great problem to have, wouldn't it? BTW, we never know how many students we will have and that figure is just an estimate as well.

Oh, gosh, Tom! I just saw your comment to my "nuke" comment. Why does Patch scramble comments on a consistent basis? Anyway, just to be clear..... are you implying something is wrong with a person who reads lots and lots of news from many sources? Sources that do point out the very real dangers facing America, not just other parts of the world? I would suppose our very diverse educational system has been teaching the students that we are in constant danger from some irrational leader pushing the nuke button. Let's see, what is the reason we have those alarms tested on a weekly basis. Oh, I suppose it is in case a herd of buffalo get loose and run through the streets? Or maybe some teaparty group holds a rally? Couldn't be because we are in a nuclear world now, could it? I forgot. Dennis Rodman won over the North Korean leader, so we know he isn't interested in sending weapons of mass destruction into the atmosphere. Yeah, sure.

Greg. From above you never answered my questions. If you can please since you are a candidate for school board. Thanks for posting and your remarks along with everyone else. March 19 at 11:26 AM was the post with questions above Thanks again.

During the candidates forum the man sitting to the right of Mike( sorry don't know his name) said something about an on-line school based out of Northern Illinois. Why aren't we checking any of these out, or are we?

I'm very curious as to why we're going this route now? How come none of this was brought up when we were fighting the overcrowding in the schools? Did no one even consider this route as it could have saved us millions of dollars in additions. Was this idea brought to light by Dr. Wendt? While this school doesn't seem on the up and up, there are others and we should have options.

This ? is for Greg or anyone else who might know the answers. Do we still have children that live in other districts but are attending 308 via cab service paid for by taxpayers? Do we do away with school fees after the 3rd child in a family? If this is the case I find it ridiculous. When you have children it was your choice so you should be paying for them.

We're so hard pressed for funds that I feel sports are a luxury. Even though my 2 kids play them I don't see how we can afford them unless they're paid by the participant. I know that the boosters do a great job with funding but couldn't that money be put to some other use. If nothing else maybe have try-outs and limit the number on a team. Varsity Football had over 100 kids, that to me seems crazy when you count the number of buses and gallons of gasoline used.

To Oswego Resident: A voucher system can be phased in like they did in Milwaukee. Now, 11,000 Milwaukee students have taken advantage of the voucher system and I bet the public schools have improved because of the competition.

Yes David, I would and will vote, if elected, for K12 and any other alternative choice given to our families. I would vote for vouchers to take your education tax money (the money you pay in property taxes for education) and your child anywhere YOU wish, including parochial schools (the Constitution guarentees the free excercise of religion, not the freedom from it). The Constituion does not say separation of church and state anywhere in it. You can't freely excercise your beliefs when the government confiscates your money for state schools and requires you to figure out how you will be able to pay for the education you deem best for your child. Thats not freedom in my book. As for dual language i'm sure it has its merits but based on what I'm hearing from Springfield its going to have its funding slashed. We would not have the resources to continue the program if that is what ultimately happens. The same goes for ECE and full day kindergarten. If that upsets you don't call the school board, call down to Springfield and ask them why they are the worst managed state in the union and can't even support basic school programs anymore!!!

Well if people have a choice and are not forced to do it then why would I presume to know whats better for their family than they do? Of course I wold vote for it.

Oswego Resident- I don't know where you are getting your data from but the Milwaukee voucher program has been extremely successful. Check out a more national overlook at http://s3.amazonaws.com/assets.allianceforschoolchoice.com/admin_assets/uploads/67/scy2012.pdf starting on page 32. It mentions the Milwaukee program and additional information can be obtained from the various Huxby research reports that have been published over the years.

And, finally, here's one of the most comprehensive looks at the success of the Milwaukee voucher program. It might also be noted that the number of voucher available in Milwaukee is capped at a low number, thanks to the teacher's union.

Even with the practices that have been brought into question in many municipalities? Did you hear him answering the questions regarding hiring of teachers -- the when, and what and how? (we'd have our "HR people handle that") Really? So you don't HAVE a plan - a contingency - for what happens if you don't achieve critical mass ? And what about losing money ? Is K12 willing to lose money its first few years "serving" our community? While I agree that choice is a good thing, I don't think that the board would ever choose to bring a company on board with so many bullet holes in their arguments - and so many parents vehemently opposed to *this.particular.company.* It's *this* company that seems to rub people the wrong way. Seems like a medicine man, in town with a covered wagon, gone tomorrow ... when the rubber hits the road, where do you suppose the two that were at the meeting will be ? Certainly not at parent-teacher conferences explaining why things aren't going as well as "planned."

There were too many questions left unanswered. It feels like this process *needs* another year -- to get the needs assessments (what does 308 need in terms of magnet, charter, online, full day, 1/2 day, etc. programs), what can 308 afford, and then put an RFP out -- that has a window in which any qualified company can put in a bid, provided they meet the standards set forth. (the teachers meet certain minimum state and local standards, they live in the communities in which they'll be teaching, etc.), field trips & means of arranging transport, how many times the kids get together with the teachers, what can be done about PE requirements (I don't know the answer to this, but I know that when *I* personally skipped my senior year, in a different state, I had to take classes in college to cover my PE requirement as required by the state), costs, remediation plans and contingencies, contingencies if it "just doesn't work out" for whatever reason. I think for some kids, this is a great opportunity. *I* personally worked on contracts when I was in 8th grade, for math, because the school I transferred to for middle school was behind where I already was. For reading, I was reading to the younger kids, 3rd graders, and tutoring them. I get being advanced and needing more. But at what cost? Will these kids who can't cope, for example, with bullying, be any better at coping if they walk away from it ? It was a public forum. Shame on them for not having more answers.

To Oswego Resident: Thank you for guiding me to a report concerning the Milwaukee voucher system. The vouchers created competition and the report stated that there was large improvement in public school test scores in the two years following the expansion of the voucher plan. Vouchers do improve the education of children.

Thanks for answering Greg. I am confused by your answers however. I can understand and appreciate your concerns about the financial condition of the school district. Yet I cannot understand why you would support taking money away from it by voting for a very troubled program to begin with in K12 and VLS????? I can only conclude that your intentions are not in the best interest of the school district and community, but rather you are trying to make a personal blunt statement of your views in regards to district 308 and public education in general. But you are entitled as the people are to vote for you or not in the up coming election.

This is a gold mine for Home schooled kids. My understanding that the school would give each student a lap top and grade level curriculm.

It would cost the school district somewhere between $8K - $10K per student. District will have to pay the chartered school for each student that attends.

I agree -- for homeschooled students, this is not only viable, but an excellent supplement to what they are already doing fantastically. Just with a different company. Or one that can answer straight questions with straight answers.

Parents in the VVDS district need choices....especially for those who have children who have faced discipline problems or expulsion. These kids only have one choice of placement by the district....an alternative program in Joliet where they take a long bus ride each day and come in contact each day with other kids with behavior problems. Charter schools and homeschooling give parents another option. The standard brick and mortar public school system is antiquated and does not work well for all kids!

Mike Ellison wrote: "You do realize that the graduation rate in Illinois public schools is only 74% So you might as well admit that the public schools have failed badly, and this charter school is actually setting higher standards."
Mike, setting higher standards is not the same as meeting them. (And for-profit products always sell on their potential.) Check out the scorecard for CVCS, the K12 partnered virtual charter in Chicago. The five-year grad rate for the "school", as reported in 2012, is < 42%, a shockingly 20 percentage points lower than the average CPS grad rates. And this "non-profit" (partnered with the for-profit K12) that only supplies books, computer equipment, and virtual teachers gets the same amount of per pupil spending -- close to 8,000 in Chicago -- that a school paying out infrastructure gets. What's more, since CVCS does not have social workers and other service providers, they can and do shut out special needs children whose IEPs require such services because they may have PTSD or be Emotionally/behaviorally disabled -- the very children who may need homeschooling the most because they have been pushed out or bullied out of the neighborhood schools!

We'll done Laura! Your comments should end the discussion. But they probably will not.

Laura,
You had the opportunity to see of the VCS was right for you, and you made the choice it was not. Now you want to deny others the same opportunity to make their own decision about it. Maybe the meetings and curriculum will be perfectly fine for others, and If not they will cease to exist won't they? While I don't see this as a perfect system and it has some flaws, so does the traditional school system. The bottom line is they (traditional schools) can't possibly be good at all the things they try and do and as a result they aren't realy good at any of them, including their primary core objective of delivering high quality education to the majority of students. I say this without trying to be overly critical, they are as much a social services agancy as they are an educational institution and this is too much to ask and it is not working very well. Too expensive with not very good results. Parents should be deciding whats best for THEIR children, NOT bureaucrats. We need more choices, not less.