A Triangle Christian school principal’s take on school vouchers in NC

School vouchers

Regarding “It’s time to admit it. North Carolina’s school voucher program is a failure,” (Dec. 5 Opinion)

Columnist Ned Barnett’s complaint about the lack of government oversight in private school falls flat. It is government controlled public schools that have failed to demonstrate academic success.

The NAEP consistently reports that fewer than half of N.C. students read proficiently. Opportunity Scholarships give parents the means to rescue their children from the academic shortcomings of local public schools.

Claims that biblically-based schools “lack academic rigor” present an incorrect picture of most private Christian schools. As evidenced by nationally normed standardized test scores, students in our state Christian school association score above national averages.

The reality is that tuition-paying parents do provide the best accountability because they have the most at stake. It is biblically-based beliefs such as the value of a strong work ethic and the intrinsic worth of every individual that contribute to Christian school students’ success — not government forced standards.

Travis Moots

Principal, Hilltop Christian School

Toyota incentives

Regarding “Toyota plans car battery plant at Randolph County megasite,” (Dec. 6):

Have we sold our soul for a battery?

Incentive package for battery plant: $438.7 million.

Average starting teacher pay? No. 43 in the nation.

North Carolinians who would benefit from Medicaid expansion: 621,000.

Judye Jacobs, Raleigh

Gerrymandering

The federal and state courts showed the N.C. General Assembly the way to draw districts that are fair and legal. Did they listen? Nope.

Our state Constitution guarantees free elections, equal protection under the law, and freedom of speech and assembly. We all have the right to be fairly represented. The newly redrawn congressional and legislative districts passed by the NCGA are even worse than the previous maps that courts invalidated for being unconstitutional racial and partisan gerrymanders.

It’s time for the courts to step up again and be the adults in the room. Democracy in North Carolina is at stake and this must be a place where voters can speak (and be heard) with their votes — not carved up like a Thanksgiving turkey.

Robert Campbell, Cary

Raleigh housing

No COLA in over 10 years for state retirees. I’ve seen a rent increase of $1,000 a month in the seven years I’ve rented an apartment in Raleigh, an amount a single Wake County Schools retiree unequivocally cannot afford, and still eat. To the mayor and others inviting the rest of the world to live here and bragging about how high the average income is, I say stop giving lip service to placing a smattering of affordable apartments amidst the largesse. My question is, where are you going to put all the homeless natives? Do tell.

Kristin Christensen, Raleigh

Roe v. Wade

I am appalled at U.S. Supreme Court justices being so blatantly eager to upend an established constitutional right to abortion nearly a half century after it was recognized.

To be clear, I am supportive of abortion restrictions once the fetus is viable or can register pain, but 15 weeks, where Mississippi’s abortion ban ends, does not provide enough time for a nervous system to develop, let alone viability.

My Jewish faith tradition tells us that such intimate decisions as abortion should be between a woman and her Rabbi. A decision to undo Roe v. Wade would be a violation of our religious freedom.

Liam Youngblood, Raleigh

Sen. Bob Dole

Much has been written and said about Sen. Bob Dole in the past several days as we grieve his death while celebrating a life full of successes, despite major health challenges. A war hero, a champion of those with disabilities, a man of integrity and principle set him apart from many who make those claims but don’t often practice them. Dole and North Carolina’s Elizabeth Dole were not only a “power couple” in Washington for decades, but they were also full of compassion and love for all people, but especially for veterans and those with disabilities.

Phil Kirk, Raleigh