I am dismayed by the ruling to deny Ascent Academy charter school status. It was obvious from the beginning that the 9-R School District would do everything in its power to keep Ascent out of Durango, for example, school proponents had to appeal to the Colorado Board of Education directly after 9-R refused to consider the application. I read with interest the 9-R School Board’s reasons for denial and found them lacking in substance. I also question if all charter school applicants have received such scrutiny. After research, I found that the curriculum that Ascent would follow is a more traditional, classical curriculum as opposed to the controversial 9-R equity-based format. As such, does this mean that only schools that adhere to the 9-R district ideology will gain approval?

There would not be a push for education alternatives if parents did not view the current educational system in America questionable. Are our teachers being held hostage by government/union interference as well? Unfortunately, the divide between the socioeconomic classes will only grow wider as parents are forced to seek alternative schooling. Parents who lack financial resources will not be given the choice of the best education for their children, whether it is public or private. This hurts children from minority and low-income families disproportionately. Charter schools were developed because the public school system was not equitable for all students; thus, shouldn’t alternatives to public education be celebrated and not condemned?

Debra Cummins

Durango