Letter to the Editor: Vote for Issue 6 and Support Public Schools

Letter to editor of Cleveland Heights Patch:

In a recent conversation about the , a gentleman told me that he gets nothing out of the public schools because his children attend private school. I beg to differ. My three siblings and I also attended private schools but my parents, driven by their regard for the common good, always supported the notion of strong public schools backed by their community.

As it turns out, I quickly wound up attending public school after a series of negative experiences. My parents turned to the public schools again when they realized the private school would and could not address my older brother's special needs. I know others whose children have had to leave private school for many reasons – a change in the family's financial or job status, an untenable social situation for their child, or the school no longer chose to serve their child. Thank goodness they could turn to public schools for a quality education.

I am so grateful to live in a community full of interesting citizens contributing much good to our society but whose income and values lead them to both need and want excellent public schools – scientists like my husband, educators like me, artists, academics, musicians, medical residents, nurses, social workers, tradespeople and more. By serving as good neighbors and using the public schools ourselves, we are investing in the future viability of this community.

I want my child and all of my community's children to have access to an excellent education. I am grateful for the forward-thinking leadership of our school district, for the education my son is receiving and for the good friends he and I have made at . I hope others care enough about my family and others' families to vote for Issue 6. Our community's families need schools that can continue to improve so that our community can continue to thrive.

— Joan Spoerl, Cleveland Heights