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Thursday's letters: Push for profit hurt charter schools

 
Published March 11, 2015

The Bush, charter link | March 9

Profit push hurts charter schools

The charter school model seems to be effective in addressing myriad issues facing public education in Florida and elsewhere. There is little doubt that excessive union control and school system bureaucracy have hampered creativity and flexibility. However, one issue seems to be overlooked, due in part to the Republican Party ideology that private entities are almost always more effective and that regulations inhibit efficiency. This issue is the corporate nature of charter schools.

Many are operated by nonprofit corporations that exist to address a community need. They are, by law, overseen by volunteer boards from the community. On the other hand, most of the newer charter schools are owned and operated by national, for-profit corporations. These are formed to enrich stockholders and are managed by executives who usually do not live in the local community.

More important, nonprofit entities are prohibited from making political contributions. But per the Citizens United Supreme Court decision, for-profit corporations have no such limitation. Once they get a foothold in contracting for public funding, they quickly begin making substantial campaign contributions to local and state elected officials and political action committees. They then lobby the elected officials for changes in laws that favor their industry.

For-profit corporations would not be entering the charter school business without seeing significant profit potential. But do we really want scarce public education dollars being used for campaign contributions, and allocated so as to promote maximum profits for stockholders and executives?

To minimize this risk, I recommend that the Legislature amend the state charter school law to require the same 80 percent standard that it does for Medicaid-contracted insurance companies. Thus, charter school entities, for-profit and nonprofit, would be required to use least 80 percent of contracted funds for direct student education (teachers, counselors, supplies, equipment, etc.). The other 20 percent would have to cover everything else including administration, allocated corporate overhead and services — and profit.

Robert H. More, Riverview

Steady diet of being wrong March 8, Perspective

Carbs are the problem

Laura Reiley was right to criticize the latest USDA report. For the past 35 years, these reports have failed to point out the most obvious and fundamental error of the dietary guidelines.

The guidance to eat less fat to lose weight and be healthier is the opposite of what we should be doing and what the science says is healthy. There have been more than 23 large, random controlled trials comparing low-fat to low-carbohydrate diets. In every single trial, on every single metric, low-carb beat low-fat.

So if we really want to curb obesity, heart disease and diabetes, the path is clear: Avoid foods labeled "low-fat" and "nonfat." Stick with real foods, avoid sugar and refined carbs, and shift your diet so you are eating about 20 percent protein and no more than 40 percent of your calories from carbohydrates. Most of your calories should come from fat.

You don't have to give up any foods you like. Just shift your food preferences away from foods high in carbohydrates. It's as simple as that.

Steven Kirsch, Los Altos Hills, Calif.

So long, Dumbo | March 6

Enforce anticruelty laws

The news that Ringling Bros. is phasing out its cruel use of elephants in its circus performances demonstrates that society's most prominent corporations are, albeit slowly, making progress in how they treat animals. That is the good news.

The bad news appeared in the local section on the same day (Police save dog shot, tied to train tracks). As the larger society inches forward, communities everywhere — urban and rural — also need to ensure that they follow suit through the enforcement of animal abuse and cruelty laws and the strict prosecution of those who break them. A comprehensive, united approach to solving the issue of animal mistreatment and abuse in this country is our only hope of success. Otherwise, I'm afraid it's the humans who look like the real Dumbos.

Deborah Van Pelt, Tampa

Florida's schools

Cost of political meddling

For the past 15 years, I have watched education in Florida go from an experience that was well-rounded to a streamlined education experience to pass a test. I have watched education reformers wreak havoc on the school systems of Florida with their megabucks. I have watched politicians who have no clue about education making decisions that are destroying public education in Florida.

After observing this fiasco, I have decided that we really don't have a education problem. We have a political problem.

Agnes Murphy, Valrico

Climate change taboo at DEP | March 8

Facts and fictions

So the governor's office has directed the Department of Environmental Protection to prohibit the use of certain words in its scientific reports and training materials. I wonder whether "global warming," "climate change" and "sea rise" were added to the state's "bad words list" before or after Gov. Rick Scott disproved these scientific concepts.

If the governor has no such irrefutable proof, then the directive that state scientists not use specific words is blatant suppression of public information. If that is case, the DEP should assume its proper name: the Florida Department of Environmental Propaganda.

Nina Vaznelis, Spring Hill

Pier survey value unclear | March 7

Monumental suggestion

I have an idea: Let's just tear down the Pier and erect a monument to all the whiners in this town.

Peter Motzenbecker, St. Petersburg