Not for all students

The Times editorial board, which endorsed the misguided charter-school initiative, is grasping at straws in its editorial about making them work when studies have shown mixed results across the country [“Make charter schools work for Washingtonians,” Opinion, Nov. 18].

First, there is no way charter schools can better serve all students because most students won't be in charter schools. Most students will be in their public schools, which will have fewer dollars to support their education.

Second, “Voters have spoken on charters.”

The “yes” campaign on charter schools outspent the "no" campaign 10-to-1 after three previous defeats. I'd say the 1.5 percent voting difference is more of a whisper.

— Dan Cantos, Port Orchard

Voters hesitant
Considering the outcome of the vote on Initiative 1240, Washington voters did not so much embrace charter schools as stated in The Seattle Times editorial; rather they seem to have offered to hold hands. Further, in The Seattle Times editorial board’s view, Sen. Rosemary McAuliffe and Rep. Sharon Tomiko Santos were thwarting legislative efforts to approve charter schools which may benefit up to a limited number of school children in the state.

However, many voters would say the two legislators were working to protect the education of more than 1 million Washington schoolchildren and to focus the efforts of Washington state in fulfilling its primary responsibility of fully funding existing public schools.

— Jeffrey S. Creager, Lake Forest Park