I have followed the DeLaSalle stadium debate, but I have drawn no
conclusion one way or the other.
In my judgment the opponents of the stadium have completely lost
perspective if they think pointless quibbling with DeLaSalle
supporters over tuition and scholarships advances their cause.
DeLaSalle is a fine institution, and contributes greatly to the
quality of life in Minneapolis. It is counter-productive to deny or
minimize that fact. If the debate becomes a referendum on DeLaSalle
generally, the stadium opponents will almost surely lose.
So, let's stipulate for the record that DeLaSalle is an excellent,
amazing, divinely-inspired school that saves thousands of kids from
the clutches of poverty and crime.
That fact is not a sufficient condition to permit a private religious
entity to use public park land.
The only way this deal makes sense is if the public as a whole
benefits. From the perspective of the Park Board, the larger
question is -- does the stadium proposal improve the use and access
of the affected park land by the public as a whole?
From what I can see on the list, no one has discussed this
particular point. Someone needs to provide some hard data on current
public use and enjoyment of the tennis courts, compared to potential
public use and enjoyment of the new facilities.
Use and enjoyment of the facilities by DeLaSalle is not a public
benefit, even if helps keep kids off the street. Justifying use of
public land by private religious groups on the basis of the good
works done by those religious groups sets a very dangerous precedent,
and is wholly inconsistent with the principle of church/state
separation.
If the public benefits, as well as DeLaSalle, then it's a win-win.
But without a direct public benefit, it's a no-go.
So let's reframe the debate, and leave the discussion of tuition and
financial aid on the table, OK?
Greg Abbott
Linden Hills
On Sep 1, 2005, at 2:26 PM, Chris Johnson wrote:
I would like to make my own comparisons, and draw my own conclusions.
To repeat the question: how much is DeLaSalle's tuition? The
correct answer is a numerical value, expressed in dollars and
cents, not an opinion on its relation to the amount at "most"
private schools.
Carlson thinks the tuition went up about $500 and another parent
said around $1,500. Which is it?
How many students get more than a token amount of financial aid?
How many students get 50% or more of tuition? Giving over half the
students a few dollars might qualify as financial aid, but would
not be representative of the real financial needs of the student body.
One other note about financial aid. All students at Catholic high
schools in the archdiocese are eligible for need-based grants from
the Archdiocesan Annual Catholic Appeal. DeLaSalle is hardly
unique in that aspect.
Greg Abbott
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