1. United States
2. Ind.
3. Letter

I'm writing to express my strong opposition to Senate Bill 518 that would shift additional public education dollars from traditional public schools to charter schools. Our public education system serves as a cornerstone of our democracy, providing equal educational opportunities to all children regardless of background. The proposed legislation would divert crucial funding away from public schools that already face significant resource challenges. Consider this comparison: We wouldn't think to siphon tax dollars away from our public police departments to fund private security firms that have no public oversight. Such an approach would weaken public safety overall while wasting dollars to an unproven, unregulated force. Why, then, would we apply this flawed logic to our children's education? Public schools, like police departments, serve the entire community and are accountable to all taxpayers. They accept all students regardless of academic history, special needs, or socioeconomic status. Rather than diverting funds from public education, we should focus on strengthening our existing public schools through appropriate funding, resources, and support. This approach ensures that every child - not just those with access to charter options - receives the quality education they deserve. I urge you to vote against this bill and instead work toward comprehensive solutions that lift all students and schools across Indiana.