Four Sussex County representatives, among others, have sponsored House Bill 28 for consideration in the Delaware General Assembly.
Before the alacrity of those with similar dispositions is added to this development, I ask that everyone consider a fastidious approach in considering it.
Some points to consider in a sagacious review of this issue include the predicable impact on the comprehensive school districts serving Sussex County students. We are aware of the advantage Sussex Tech has in raising funds, having not the hardship of going to voters for approval of a tax increase. In fact, that the Sussex Tech tax is included in citizens’ tax bill is a major factor contributing to people’s reluctance to further give from their wallets. While holding Sussex Tech’s tax rate at 29.5 cents per $100 of assessed property may seem like a tip of the hat to comprehensive schools, that level is considerable if you are a property owner.
Eliminating enrollment restrictions and student admission preferences opens wide the door to recruiting. As students are becoming more transient, and a brand-new school has been approved for Sussex Tech, one does not have to wonder what the result will be. At the risk of being prescient, I ask whether these conditions entice premier athletes to transfer from local schools.
In addition, while removing prohibitions against GPA levels or students who failed any eighth-grade course may appear to be another nod to local school systems, Sussex Tech’s elevated budget, staff salaries and recruiting tools will be put to good use at the expense of local school districts.
Allowing Sussex Tech to “... remove a student for disciplinary reasons without the consent of the student’s parents/guardian or the student’s home district” will also have an expectable outcome. Local school systems have no such option but must accept those students dismissed.
What will be the end game of this legislation? In short time, Sussex Tech will laud its academic accomplishments, its prowess in athletics and its low rates of disciplinary issues.
In his masterpiece “Savage Inequalities,” author Jonathan Kozol laments these kinds of strategies to improve schools, sharing that the comprehensive schools are left with more of the neediest students with fewer resources to attend to their needs. I elaborate on that point in the fourth chapter of my text “Generalities of Distinction” and stress the need for a level playing field when comparing school performance.
While it would be disrespectful to accuse the supporters of this piece of legislation of being vacuous, one can only hope their desire to pass it is rooted in bringing Sussex Tech up to the same level as Polytech and New Castle County Vo-Tech. My arguments are easily transferrable to our two northern counties. To model a proposal after a poorly designed one already in place helps no comprehensive school district.
I hope the members of the House Education Committee respond with a deep sense of perspicacious, reject it, and use these insights to overturn what is happening in Kent and New Castle.
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