Hey, Denny, thanks for remembering! That was my story! (I think it was the
Reader, though I worked for both so even I get confused...)
While I am not an absolutist about corporate support of the schools, I wrote
at the time (and continue to believe) that it was wrong for Target to
"purchase" several downtown school spots, and attach the requisite public
school teachers. Originally, I think, the school was mostly Target kids,
with others (mostly minorities) thrown in for diversity.
I have no problem with corporations subsidizing a downtown school, but it
just seems wrong to make the result so directed. If a bunch of big hitters
wanted to thrown in for a downtown school, without a student-spot guarantee
but with the understanding that a big downtown school would make their
workplaces generally more attractive...well, I'm for that, because people
still have an equal chance to get in. But that might not be a big enough
"return" for a private business to capitalize.
And I acknowledge that getting new funding into the schools somehow can be a
good thing for all, because existing resources can serve the rest of the
students.
Since then, the charter movement has really picked up steam. Wonder if
downtown businesses could set up their own charter. Could they then restrict
enrollment somehow? Would that be more palatable done via charter? (At first
blush, I think not.)
The bigger thread is whether there is still a demand for downtown spots, and
if so, how can we fill it to equally serve all parents and their kids?
David Brauer
King Field - Ward 10
-----Original Message-----
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
[mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]On Behalf Of [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Sent: Thursday, December 21, 2000 8:39 AM
To: Multiple recipients of list
Subject: mill city montessori
There were and are lots of questions about Target (or any business)
sponsoring a public school. It would have been nice to air that debate years
ago. List members may remember a cover article on the topic in City Pages
(or
was is the Reader?) when the school opened.
But none of those questions should affect thinking about TIF.
Target has no legal or moral responsibility to continue to sponsor the
school. It was, from the start, a service to its employees, with some
significant external benefits.
Mill City Montessori was generally seen as an first-rank school, so it would
be worthwhile to keep its staff and program together.
Wanna bash Target or its TIF victory, fine. But this is not the hammer.
Dennis Schapiro
Linden Hills
