AZ Daily Star Gives Thorn to Sen. Al Melvin

AZ Daily Star - Thorns & Flowers

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Daily Star Editorial Board – 5.7.09


A Thorn to state Sen. Al Melvin for telling a group of leaders in Sierra Vista that a good way to improve public education is "to attract good charter schools."

Melvin, R-Tucson, and other state lawmakers were speaking with the Fort Huachuca 50, a civic group that is focused on ensuring that the military installation remains open. The group includes many retired military members who, according to the Sierra Vista Herald, urged lawmakers to protect public schools because a strong educational system is necessary to ward off a base closure and to attract highly qualified employees.

Melvin responded by telling the group of his fine parochial education and suggested that Sierra Vista, near Fort Huachuca, should work to attract charter schools. Perhaps Melvin doesn't know that, according to the Arizona Department of Education, four of the 14 public schools in Sierra Vista are charter schools.

While we support charter schools, we recognize that some are effective and some are not. We are disappointed that Melvin's answer to people raising a significant issue is to patly say, "Attract good charter schools." That answer is inadequate.