Public Education: The Last Line of Defense for Democracy in Our Communities

Op Ed by Markus Ceniceros

As a student, school board member, and product of the public education system, I am deeply concerned about recent policy decisions regarding vouchers, particularly in Arizona with the implementation of universal vouchers passed by the state legislature in 2022.

These developments are not just an attack on public education; they are an attack on the very fabric of our democracy. Public education plays a critical role in sustaining democracy, and it is our responsibility to protect it.

Local school districts and their elected school board members represent the closest form of democracy to a community, shaping its culture and identity in many ways.

From decisions about how much residents should pay in property taxes to provide essential services, to determining whether to build or close a school, school boards wield significant influence. Yet, they often operate in the shadows, unknown to many in the community. This must change.

Everyone deserves the right to a high-quality education, but this fight to protect public education is about more than that. It’s about recognizing that public school districts are essential to ensuring we have a say in what happens in our neighborhood schools, in resisting the influence of Wall Street and pro-privatization billionaires.

The push for school vouchers is part of a broader effort to defund public schools by funneling taxpayer money into private and charter schools that are not accountable to the public. This not only undermines public education but also weakens our communities.

Historically, public schools have been the heart of community identity places where culture is built and strengthened. The push to privatize education threatens to disrupt this connection, eroding community ties and removing our voice in the education of our children.

As a proud product of public schools, I can attest to the vital role they play. In middle school, my local public school was my second home. It’s where I learned how to perform in theater, travel the state for choir competitions, and, most importantly, build a sense of friendships and community. This is what local public schools have been in our communities.

However, I also recognize the gaps, particularly in civic education. The solution isn’t to privatize and diminish community influence but to build on the progress public schools have made. In my own education, I found civic lessons lacking, and most of my understanding of government came from outside the classroom and from my experiences after I was elected to serve on the local school board in my community.

This is concerning because our communities must be informed about the crucial roles local government and school districts play in our daily lives.

Public education has long been seen as an equalizer, providing all children, regardless of background, the opportunity to succeed and contribute to their communities. Current trends threaten this promise. Defunding public schools, the rise of charter schools, and the push for school vouchers undermine the integrity of public education.

Political and ideological battles over curriculum content, including restrictions on teaching history, science, and social justice, weaken our schools. Compounding these issues are poor working conditions, low pay, and a lack of support, driving teachers away from the profession and exacerbating the challenges faced by public schools. In Arizona, the average teacher is paid around $40,000.

The weakening of public education has dire consequences for our communities. In my community, we have seen firsthand the impact of non-public schools on local public schools. My local school district has lost a few hundred students who could have been in our district, opting instead for a local charter school. The loss of students to private and charter schools means less funding for public schools, leading to larger class sizes, fewer resources, and a diminished public education experience for the students who remain. This, in turn, leads to a less informed electorate, making it easier for misinformation and authoritarian tendencies to take root. The decline of public schools also contributes to increased social and economic inequality, deepening divisions within our communities. The privatization and corporatization of education strip local communities of their control, undermining their ability to shape the education of their children.

To defend public education, we must take action. Advocacy and activism are essential. We must show up and demand that our elected officials stand with public education and oppose the privatization of education. If they don’t, we must run for office ourselves. Our communities must become more involved in supporting public schools, whether by attending school board meetings, backing pro-public education candidates, or opposing harmful legislation. Parents should send their children to their local public schools, as 90% of parents already do. We must also push for greater investment in public education, ensuring adequate funding, teacher support, and infrastructure improvements. We should advocate for an inclusive curriculum that reflects the diversity of our society and promotes critical thinking, civic engagement, and social responsibility.

The urgency of this issue cannot be overstated. Defending public education is essential for preserving democracy in our communities. I urge readers to take concrete steps to support public education, recognizing it as the last line of defense for democracy and the future of our communities.

Read more in the Truth in Education Funding Newsletter.