OWH The Public Pulse Response to Letter on Jan. 27, 2014

"What Mr. Jack Boesch from Humphrey (The Public Pulse; Monday, January 27; "Legislature should steer clear of sports") fails to realize is that private schools CAN control who and how many students they accept.  Public schools have to take any student that walks in the door.  That sir is where the issue comes on "recruiting."  You and others certainly have the right to not attend public school.  Since you choose to send your child to a private school the question becomes why.  Numerous reports have been published comparing private with public school children education. Considering that private school child come from homes with both parents being college educated and influential, you would think the results should be greater. This is not the case at all times.  Some parents of private school students say they pay taxes so they should be allowed to use public school facilities and educational material.  Not a bad argument until I ask, "I pay taxes to support the local police department, so can I drive the squad car around when I want?"  "Can I use the fire truck to water my yard?"  Why not, I pay taxes for them?  Public schools are demonized by some.  The work they do is amazing when one considers the number of issues students bring to school from home.  Bottom line is this, you want something more.  That is cool, but you should not expect taxpayers to support ANY PORTION of the elitism you wish for.  As a former coach (even at a private school) it is not a fair playing field with public schools.  Senator Karpisek is bringing this uneven issue to the forefront.  When a private school uses its "right" to pick and choose who attends their school, that is where it becomes unfair.  When a private school allow some to attend without paying tuition, that is unfair as well."