I know families with children in one of the many creative, local private schools.
I understand the love of wanting your child to get the best education.
Our 11-year-old gifted/vision-disabled son took the Scholastic Aptitude Test and scored above the national average for college-bound seniors.
A wise friend counseled that I keep him in public school because of possible unintended consequences.
If all parents took bright creative children out of public schools, we would destroy democracy.
We need the best and brightest to do their learning alongside peers with diverse backgrounds, less wealth and fewer or different skills.
This is vital to the idea of American democracy, as it got away from the rigid class systems of Europe in which so many immigrants to America sought to escape.
We need educated parental energy to guide and support our public schools so that all children learn to become critical thinking voters.
Our son graduated from Chimacum High School and Peninsula College the same year.
If you have a child in a local private school, consider matching the time you donate to your private school — hour for hour — to support our public schools.
Or consider putting your kids back in public school and fight for the best for everyone.
Do good research and make an informed vote for public school board candidates in the fall.
Rita Marie Kepner,
Nordland