Letter to the Editor:
Citizens have questioned whether there are religious elements of the Hillsdale Curriculum and Hillsdale Charter Schools generally. Yes I've read the outfacing information, which says nothing about religious elements. The founders of the Hillsdale Curriculum, and supporters of this network of new charter schools, have been very careful in their wording and comments publicly, since they are requesting public funds be used to support these charter schools.
As well, the developers of the Hillsdale Curriculum are well aware of the conflict between public funds and a religious education. They work at a religious college which does not accept government funding so they do not have to do certain things or abide by certain laws, such as Title IX. Yet, there are numerous sources for these charter schools which reveal religious elements.
Let's start with Hillsdale's words. The organizing website states: “The Hillsdale charter schools are neither owned nor managed by Hillsdale. Instead, the schools enter agreements to use the Hillsdale curriculum and the college provides training for faculty and staff, as well as other assistance—all free of charge.” Now for many, the training of teachers is key to what is taught in schools. Hillsdale has clearly stated this training will be done by the college. A religious college.
Reading one their documents state: "The mission of the K-12 charter schools includes a call for “moral virtue.” One of their schools goes on to state: "we teach the Hillsdale Curriculum, focusing on civic and moral values." The obvious question is "who's or what moral values."
From an organizer of one of the Hillsdale Curriculum charter schools; "Parents choose this school because they want a certain kind of education. We’re not gonna have courses from the College Board... Parents will decide. Parents are the ones who are going to drive the education....The rights of parents, that trumps the rights of kids."
Since NH charter schools are not allowed to be religious this obviously raises critical questions. Yes, going to religious school is a personal choice and should be/is an option in this area. We even provide public dollars in NH to help pay the cost of going to a religious school through EFA's. But using taxpayers dollars for a religious charter school is illegal in NH. A charter school is a public school and receives public dollars and cannot provide a religious education, even one disguised under 'classical education'.
Karen Burnett-Kurie
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