Regarding education funding fairness

Catholic schools, as well as private academies such as Shadyside, Yeshiva School and home schooling are as much about choice as is choosing to send a child to a public school.

Many parents and guardians pick public schools for financial reasons. Others prefer public education for opportunities like athletics, band, stages and auditoriums, swimming pools, gymnasiums and playgrounds that some private and parochial schools don't make available.

Lou L. Gatto's prejudicial approach ("Catholic Schools Deserve a Fair Share of Taxpayer Money," May 19) to provide tax dollars to Catholic schools will open a Pandora's box of tax debates and lawsuits. Imagine the response from all the religious and private schools clamoring for their share of the bounty. And how does the government subsidize Mom and Dad who home school their kids? Local, state and federal governments are already stressed to provide funding for public schools.

A quality education is worth its weight in gold, no matter the source. There's just not enough gold to go around.

 

MICHAEL PATTON
Level Green