Bigotry against Kentucky homeschoolers

An article in the Cincinnati Enquirer describes a bill proposed by Jack Westwood that would allow homeschool students to participate in high school sports. The key to the issue is this:

"These families still pay taxes," said Westwood, one of the Legislature's staunchest conservatives. "It would be fair to let them play."

But here's the opposing view:

Grant County schools superintendent Mike Hibbett believes it should stay that way.

"I have nothing against home-schooled students if they feel that is what they need," said Hibbett, a former coach in the Boone County schools.

"But if you choose to home school, you choose not to be a part of the public schools. Why should a home-schooled student be allowed to pick and choose what they want to be a part of?

"I'm all about the fairness, and this wouldn't be fair to our students," he said. "I'm absolutely against it."

These people "choose" not to be part of the public schools because they feel it is in the best interest of their child. So how it is not "fair" to the students in the public school? What is it that they're being deprived of? And for what it's worth, Grant County isn't exactly know for academic excellence in the state of Kentucky. (Did he really say he's "all about the fairness?")

And then we've got a board member from another Northern Kentucky school district:

Campbell County Board of Education member Mike Combs of Alexandria said Northern Kentucky legislators should concentrate more on equitable funding for local school districts "instead a bill about kids who do not even go to the school being allowed to play for the school."

"How can a school have an athletic program that is OK for the home-school student but be so bad it cannot be considered for academic reasons?" Combs said.

"To preclude the academics from our schools but take advantage of the athletics and have a law passed to force our cash-strapped schools to deal with the desires of a 'few who asked' is not the answer for success in the field, the classroom or on the court."

Combs answers his question with the quality of his own school. Any parent who cares about their child, AND is able to homeschool them, would either do so, or find some other option. There is NO WAY in hell I would EVER send my child to Campbell County High School. It's a last resort for those with no other options.

First of all, it's not a funding issue. These parents are paying their taxes to fund the school. The issue is one of misplaced pride in a school that isn't deserving of any. Mike should worry more about getting meth and heroin out of his school, and less about good families who want to provide athletic options to their children. The school is ranked 68th out of 169 in the state. In case that sounds decent, keep in mind that this number includes many districts below the federal poverty level, which Campbell County is not.

(Grant county is 74th. Also, these rankings don't include private schools, which would push them even lower. In contrast, Highlands High School, also located in Campbell County, was ranked 4th in the state.)

Secondly, the district's job is to ensure that every child in their boundaries receives an education. Why take offense if someone feels that they are better able to provide that education in the home? If funding is truly his concern, these people are doing him a favor! Their paying their taxes, but not receiving the service. Since they would pay their athletic fees like any other student, how is this a problem?

The problem is low-level beauracrats wanting to maintain a system that is broken. They don't like it when folks realize it and find a better way to solve the problem. I live in Campbell County and send my kids to parochial school. If that wasn't available, I'd homeschool them. The public schools in this county aren't fit to teach my children.

Finally, I love the Tim Tebow mention. I would have thought that would shut a lot of these idiots up, but apparently not. Given the lack of success of these two schools, I'd think either of them would take all the help they can get!