*Opinions expressed in Letters to the Editor are not necessarily those of The Messenger.
To the editor,
As a rural Kenyon resident, a parent with children who attended Kenyon-Wanamingo Schools, and an educator, I am very concerned about the attempts of the Trump administration to close the Department of Education. This action will take away resources like student lunches and special education programming.
Some leaders in Washington are also pushing the proposed Educational Choice for Children Act (ECCA). If enacted nationwide, ECCA would divert billions of taxpayer dollars from our public schools to subsidize private institutions. Public schools are already grappling with many budgetary and operational challenges. Voucher programs only worsen these issues, benefiting a privileged few while leaving low-income and rural students with fewer resources. In addition, Kenyon is a rural community. Travel to a private school would increase costs for families.
Public education is the foundation of a multiracial democracy. Our public schools also bind our community and allow us to forge life-long relationships. If we are serious about ensuring quality education for all students—not just the wealthiest—we must reject efforts to defund our public schools. I urge all of us in the Kenyon-Wanamingo District to tell Representative Brad Finstad to oppose private school voucher initiatives and invest in strengthening our public schools.
In honor of our wonderful public-school staff,
Susan B. Janicke
Kenyon, MN
