Concerned about President Trump’s proposal for a nationwide voucher program that would give public money to private schools, the Chula Vista Elementary School District is countering with a multi-faceted campaign that showcases our great public schools. The campaign coincides with California’s designation of April as Public Schools Month.
There is much to be proud about our public schools. Here is a partial list of our honors over the least year alone: one National Blue Ribbon School, two Golden Bell Awards from the California School Boards Association, three National Center for Urban School Transformation award-winning schools, and four California Gold Ribbon Schools. CVESD also received recognition for world-class Dual Language Immersion programs, an ongoing renaissance in Visual and Performing Arts programs, and cutting-edge partnerships such as Innovation Station, our collaboration with Qualcomm and the Chula Vista Library to engage students in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math (STEAM) careers.
Yet, our success could be undermined if the proposed federal budget is approved. The President’s proposal would cut funds that states and school districts use to recruit, train, support, and compensate teachers. After-school program funds are on the chopping block, as well. Such cuts are proposed even as the President would make it easier for public funds to flow to private schools in the form of vouchers. The President has proposed allocating $250 million for the nationwide voucher program.
State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson recently noted that voucher programs would “take taxpayer dollars away from public schools, starving them of the resources they need to provide a first-class education to students.” California voters have twice voted down voucher ballot measures—and by large margins. Now, the feds want to undo what California voters already decided at the ballot box.
Rather than sit idly and await the outcome of a lengthy federal budget fight, Chula Vista launched an enrollment, marketing, and branding campaign with two primary objectives: to boost student enrollment at schools with excess capacity, and to retain students at schools that might be impacted by proposed changes in federal education policy. Our ongoing marketing campaign in CVESD includes greater outreach regarding registration for Preschool, Transitional Kindergarten, and Kindergarten for the 2017-18 school year, which began on March 1. Thirteen of our schools with excess capacity will receive an additional marketing focus. Out of 45 schools in our District, only a handful, primarily in eastern Chula Vista, are not accepting students from out of the neighborhood.
Public schools are an important hallmark of American greatness and ingenuity. Public Schools Month activities are being carried out across the state. Locally, representatives of Chula Vista Masonic Lodge #626 presented citizenship awards on April 13 to sixth-grade students at 45 CVESD schools. Lodge members who take part in this visitation look forward to being a part of an uplifting program that highlights what we as Americans try to uphold—being good citizens. These awards also remind us of one of our nation’s greatest strengths: public education. Free public education. The fraternal organization started some of the first public schools in America and advocated for legislation to help make education accessible to everyone.
We recognize our approach is a direct challenge to the narrative of those who paint broadly about “failing public schools.” Our nation’s leaders should recognize the overwhelming successes of our public school teachers, staff and students.
In Chula Vista, we are confident our students will grow to become great citizens and great leaders because of their free public education. Let your family, friends, and neighbors know what is working for your children in our public schools and be part of our continual improvement. Support our great public schools.
Escobedo is superintendent of the Chula Vista Elementary School District.
