In Your Opinion: School Board Correct In Banning Charter School Students From Athletics

By Cadine Dennison, Franklin.

After my attendance of the September 22, 2016 Board of Education meeting, it is my opinion that Central Jersey College Prep students should not be allowed to participate in Franklin Township public school athletics.

Charter Schools are often viewed as the solution to the public education problems. Many of those who attend charter schools such as CJCP reject the public school system in Franklin. CJCP was seen as a solution to the Franklin Public school problems. When this school opened, many who were dissatisfied with the Franklin Township public schools flocked to CJCP for the chance to attend. How many of these parents tried to improve the Franklin Township public school system while their children attended or even as they sit on CJCP’s waiting list? How many Franklin Board of Education meetings have the parents of CJCP attended before September 22? After the CJCP parents voiced their opinions about their students ability to participate in Franklin public school sports, many left the meeting. Why did they leave? Simple, because they were present for the interest of CJCP and not for interest of the Franklin public school system.

If parents choose to send their children to a school that does not offer athletics then there has to be an understanding that their children will not be able to participate in these sports. Public school is open to all students whether they are high-performing or not. There is no selection or acceptance process, nor a waiting list. If these students would like to participate in Franklin athletics, then they should attend the Franklin Township public schools.

The CJCP parents may say these policy changes will divide the community, while it is CJCP that has separated and divided the Franklin Township public school students. Before the existence of CJCP, all public school students in Franklin attended the Franklin Township public schools. There was no distinction between charter and non-chartered education in Franklin Township.

Separating yourself or a breaking away from the public school system is a choice, as it is a choice to attend CJCP. With that choice should be acceptance that athletic resources will not be available to these student. CJCP chooses to use its financial resources as it so pleases. With the express need for athletics in its school, the CJCP administration should explore using some of its resources to creating an athletic department in its institution to accommodate its students’ desire to participate in the various sports of their choosing.

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