I am writing in support of a vote “No” on Question 2, which is a ballot question for Massachusetts’s voters at the Presidential election on Nov. 8.

Question 2 deals with the question of charter schools versus public schools. If you want to increase the number of charter schools in the Commonwealth, then you should vote “Yes” on the question. If you don't want to increase the number of charter schools, then you should vote “No” on the question. My argument uses Longmeadow data, but the logic applies to surrounding communities.

I support a “No” vote on Question 2 for the following reasons:

1. We already have a large number of charter schools and we need to assess the quality of the education they claim to provide their students. Test scores are not an adequate measure of the excellence of an education. Schools can wind up “teaching to the test” rather than educating the whole student and preparing them for life as an educated adult and citizen. Charters measure success with MCAS scores alone.

2. Charter schools take money from the funding of public schools. We are talking about large amounts of money here. This is why some wealthy corporate interests have joined in the campaign to create more for profit charter schools. The Walton family of Wal-Mart fame is just one example of this. The Pioneer Institute is another more shadowy promoter of more charters.

3. The last few years have seen the amount of money that Longmeadow gives to the Commonwealth increase as the number of charter schools has risen. I am talking about Chapter 58, Section 25 money that the Commonwealth assesses/delivers to the local school district with respect to charter schools. In fiscal year 2014, we sent $91,229 to charters and got reimbursed $17,188. In fiscal year 2015, we sent $105,627 and got reimbursed $18,136. In fiscal year 2016, we sent $128,958 and we got back $31,031. In fiscal year 2017, we sent $158,807 and got back $36,602. [Source: Department of Revenue]

4. Currently, more than $400 million per year of state funding for public schools is being diverted to charter schools. A recent study has shown that we are already underfunding our public schools by $1 billion yearly. Longmeadow's allocation of Chapter 70 money has not grown at the same rate as its assessment for charter schools has grown. This does not augur well for the future.

5. Public schools have the moral and legal obligation to educate all the students who apply. charter schools have the right to reject and/or expel “undesirable” candidates or students. The moral calculus for charter schools is Social Darwinism.

6. Longmeadow citizens have a method to hold their school system accountable through their elected School Committee, which answers directly to the voters. Charter schools are accountable to their owners, not their students or the public.

For these reasons, I urge my fellow citizens to vote NO on Question #2 on November 8th.

John J. Fitzgerald
Longmeadow