THE ISSUE: Bill Perkins’ fight against the charter-school movement in Harlem and throughout NY.
***
People in Harlem can blame Bill Perkins for undermining their children’s chances for a decent education, but it’s about time they realized the consequences of consistently voting for Democratic hacks beholden to the teachers’ union (“Bill Perkins, Hypocrite,” Editorial, April 21).
Arnold Ahlert
Boca Raton, Fla.
***
Your biased screeds against Perkins do not hold up under any kind of scrutiny. Perkins went to a private school, not a taxpayer funded “charter” school with no accountability to the community.
Some charters are well-run with demonstrable outcomes, but they are the exception, not the rule. Many have failed or have scandals attached to them.
Whatever the value of charters, the fact remains that most students will attend public schools and need leaders to fight for them.
Charters may provide interesting experiments in education, but they will never reach a scale to serve all.
Kudos to Perkins.
John Magisano
Manhattan
***
Our education system is in shambles, and the teachers union is trying to shut down the mostly successful charter schools by having Perkins do the dirty work.
When are the unions going to put the children first instead of continually looking out for their own parochial self-interest?
Inflexibility on reforming oppressive union rules will eventually bring the union down because, at some point, the citizens will say enough is enough. The sooner the better.
Charles Lehmann
Delray Beach, Fla.
***
Those of us who remember the 1950s will recall Democrats standing in front of schools in an attempt to keep black children from escaping poor-performing schools. Ironically, today, with their opposition to school vouchers, Democrats are once again doing the same thing.
Even when evidence shows that charter schools outperform public schools, Democrats try to close the charters or make it impossible for them to open.
The Democratic Party is simply too indebted to the teachers union.
Albert Paparesta
Brookfield, Conn.
***
Reading the criticisms of charter schools reminds me of Winston Churchill’s remarks on democracy: “Democracy is the worst form of government ever, except for everything else that has been tried.”
If charter schools are so bad, why are their results so good? And why are so many people trying to get in?
David Willig
Staten Island
***
I salute Perkins for having the guts to stand up to the charter-school invaders, who are nothing more than corporate privateers profiting off of poor children and the city’s education budget.
Why are there no charter schools in affluent areas? Because educated parents see them for what they are — profiteers out to milk the public-school budget for their own ends. Let them go elsewhere.
Scott E. Bayou
Maspeth
***
Your articles and editorials on charter schools give the lie to the very idea that NYC teachers are professionals concerned with educating children.
In fact, it is obvious that they intimidate politicians to ensure that there is no competition in the education marketplace and that minority children are being taken advantage of.
Charles Steinberg
Long Beach
***
You want a reason why Perkins has belittled charter schools? Just follow the money.
The kids in his constituency, who would benefit greatly from access to charter schools, don’t fill his pockets with money — the teachers union does.
Every sane person should consider this when picking a candidate to vote for: The only time an individual cares about you is when he is campaigning for your vote. After that, it’s time to line his pockets.
There should be a complete review of each and every member in elected office throughout this entire country, and there should be strict term limits.
Louie Rey
East Meadow