Funding for Danbury charter school should be approved

On Sunday, April 28, I picked up my Sunday paper to see an open letter published in The NewsTimes in support of Danbury Prospect Charter School. Signed by a dozen notable Danbury residents, the letter explained why its authors think the state should fund the school in the upcoming budget cycle and outlined the benefits it could bring to Danbury.

I, too, think the state of Connecticut should fund the Danbury Prospect School in this budget session. As a 13-year resident of Danbury and parent of one schoolaged child, I have the right to decide where to send my child to school. I would have loved to have sent him to Danbury Prospect Charter School because of its International Baccalaureate (IB) program.

This International Baccalaureate Diploma Program is a longestablished, globally recognized program of study. The IB Diploma Program is a two-year, full-time, academically challenging and balanced program of education that prepares students aged 16 to 19 for success at a university and life. It has been designed to address the intellectual, social, emotional and physical well-being of students. The program has gained recognition and respect from the world’s leading universities. The IB Diploma is just one major reason why the state should fund Danbury Prospect Charter School.

To me, what seems to be getting lost in all of the public debate about education, and charter schools more specifically, are those who will benefit the most from a school like Danbury Prospect — our students! As the letter states, the funding for the school will come from state, not local, dollars. That means it won’t take money away from Danbury district schools.

So what’s the problem? Students stand to benefit from a great, free education, and all Danbury legislators have to do is say “yes” to educational choice!

Rose Alonso Danbury