FLASHPOINT:

Parents fired up

Monday, Nov. 24, 2008 | 2:01 a.m.

It used to be when grass-roots activism to improve the state’s school system was talked about, the natural focus was the teachers union, which has tens of thousands of members and a built-in political organization. But after last week, if the trend continues, the teachers may have some long-overdue competition from parents. Hundreds of irate parents turned out at a couple of town halls to discuss budget cuts, showing that the fire may have been ignited to stop the madness come Session ’09. You have had groups such as Nevadans for Quality Education beating this drum for years, but now those parents have an army to tap and train how to influence lawmakers next year. Kudos to the district for activating the one group that could change the dynamic.

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By lvice

Nov. 25, 2008

2:02 a.m.

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If you want to change the dynamic of our school system, institute vouchers.
Give parents a voucher for 1/2 of what the district spends per pupil and parents would rush to opt out of our school system. The state would save millions and get better public schools in the process.

By the way, there was maybe 40 people at the school district open house at Durango High School to go over the budget cuts. Having only a few hundred parents show up to these open houses in the 4th/5th largest school district in the nation isn't that impresive.