Chicago Public Schools

It seems like there has always been a problem with Chicago Public Schools. Well, in most neighborhoods at least. The funding for the schools is based off of property taxes. And since different neighborhoods have different property values, the fundings for the schools in each neighborhood is different. So, with that sytem in place, you have more money going towards schools in neighborhoods where the property costs a lot more. So you can assume that the kids who go to the better-funded schools come from families with more money, since they can afford the more expensive housing. And vice versa; the not-so-well-funded schools are attended by students who are coming from poorer families. So, the question is, is this way of funding the public schools a good one?

My response: No. I think that it segregates the city so much more. It really separates the poor from the rich. The poorer schools have less teachers and larger classes and not as many amenities. The richer schools, however, are able to pay more teachers to have smaller classes and are able to keep extracurriculars around. The poor kids are almost punished for coming from a poor family, and that's just not right. Sure, "life's not fair" but this is America--one of the most prosperous cities in America, at that--and we should be able to work out a better system that would ensure everyone gets the same education. Here's my proposal.

How about doing a blanket tax. Like, it could still be based on property taxes, but instead of focusing all of that on the school in that neighborhoods, pool it all together and distribute it equally. Yes, I know that would make the richer end of the rope angry because their tax money would be going towards funding schools in the "ghetto." But in my eyes, that's good. Because they would realize the need to help the "ghetto." It would no longer be a distant problem, one they don't have to deal with. And that might actually help the city become desegregated and more equal on an economical level.

That's just the way I see it. Maybe I'm just being an idealist in thinking that, but I believe strongly in it. I honestly think that by doing that, it'd be a wake up call to the richer people of Chicago and they'd be motivated to help the city in its entirety.