OPINION

A parent’s school funding fight

MARIA DALMAU

When you are a parent, there is no better feeling than looking at your children and knowing they can be whatever they want, that no dream is too big and that no future is out of reach for them. But when you live in a place where good, quality school options are scarce, you worry.

In Rochester, we see all too often how schools are failing children. We know how important new and different public school options are. I cried tears of joy when my girls won the lottery to get into a charter school. And while I am incredibly grateful for the option, I soon found out that my children are not treated equally – solely because I exercised my right to choose a different type of school.

That's why on September 7 I will be in court fighting for my daughters.

Two years ago this September, I was part of history when I joined four other brave families in filing Brown v. New York – a lawsuit challenging how the state funds charter schools. In Rochester, charter students like my daughters only get 68 cents on the dollar for their educations compared to district kids. This is wrong. All children deserve fairness.

On September 7 the state, having lost the first time around, will try again to have our case dismissed. It’s disappointing that the state is trying to deny us our day in court. But we will not be deterred. We will make noise and fight this inequity our children face. We will rally before the hearing and we will make sure our stories are heard.

My daughters Samantha and Marianna have attended charter schools since kindergarten. Samantha now attends PUC Achieve Charter School and Marianna is at Eugenio Maria de Hostos Charter School. These schools are a Godsend. My girls get more individualized attention, teachers that always believe in them, and staff that goes the extra mile. If you’re paying attention, you know families here need this kind of support.

Look at our state test scores. Students in Rochester schools are in single digits in ELA and math.

We have a right to demand better for our kids. But looking for an alternative, choosing a public education that’s best for our children, should not come with a penalty. I exercised my right and found schools that fit my daughters’ needs. I will not accept that my children are worth less.

On September 7 I will continue to fight for them and show why we deserve our day in court.

Maria Dalmau resides in Rochester