Melvin: “Let them eat charters.”

by David Safier
This morning's Star placed one of its dreaded thorns in the backside of Al Melvin. As Steve Farley mentioned in his latest email, Melvin took it upon himself to lecture a group of Sierra Vista area businessmen about why we don't need more money for schools. These people told the legislators in attendance that Fort Huachuca could be closed if the feds felt our education was inadequate. According to the Star:

Melvin has a very limited repertoire that he plays on an endless loop. I've heard every one of his assertions at least twice, and that's just since he was elected. He returns to charter schools occasionally after he waxes eloquent about his love for private schools and vouchers.

Maybe Melvin doesn't understand that charter schools aren't like fast food franchises. You can't just drop one in an area like it's a burger joint. And he also may not understand that when students go to charters, that's money that leaves the other schools. It's not a net funding gain. The traditional schools are in the same situation at best, and they might be hurt by losing students and funding while having to maintain the school building and services.

I wonder if Melvin will advocate for a new tax to fund thorn removal in the 2010 budget, now that he's found himself with that specific ailment, courtesy of the Star. After all, running over a few potholes was enough to make him support new taxes to fix our roads. Bill Clinton used to say, "I feel your pain." Melvin's line would be, "I feel my pain."