I have lived in Canton, Michigan for over 30 years. Canton
is a great place to live and raise a family and one reason is its school system
which is first rate.
The Plymouth-Canton School System had financial difficulties
like most Michigan school systems mainly because of state funds that have been
cut. The schools have to make adjustments and the Canton school board has been
very diligent about making cuts that would not in any way reduce the stellar
reputation the Canton schools have.
Recently, Canton has opened up its K-2 grades to a school-of-choice
designation which would allow 200 out-of-district children to attend Canton
schools. This would bring in the needed $1.5 million to cover the shortfall for
next year.
Judging by the reaction of Canton parents, you would think
we were in a different era. How dare you let kids in from out-of-district; it
will make our property values come down…really?
I don’t know how to take that reaction. Yes, Canton has been
pretty conservative (Republican) in the past but with all the people moving in
we have had an influx, although small, of some progressive folks.
How can kids attending kindergarten to second grade bring
down home values and damage the reputation of our schools. How about looking at
it in a different way; because of our great educational system, we will take
kids from mostly lower performing schools and offer them a superior education
which will help them get a better start to their lives.
If parents from Bellville, Westland and Garden City are
willing to drive their kids to our schools on a daily basis are they not the
type of parents that care deeply for their kids and want to provide their kids
with every possible opportunity at a better future?
Somehow I feel that these Canton parents that are objecting
to letting in these “other” kids feel these kids come from some riff-raff
families with children that will only degrade our classrooms and somehow
negatively impact our precious, better-than-thou children.
Really people…get a grip!
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