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Hernando Today

Homeschool Meeting Draws Sparse Crowd, Makes Small Gains

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By Linnea Brown

Hernando Today

Published: August 15, 2008

Brooksville - Local parents who homeschool their children are in no hurry to send their children back to Hernando County public schools.

That much became clear after Thursday's meeting at the school district, hosted by Superintendent Wayne Alexander about programs at local schools and meant to start a dialogue with parents of the 760 county children who are homeschooled.

But less than 30 parents showed up — and those that did had their reasons.

Bullying. Lack of morals. Insufficient communication with teachers. To name a few.

One by one, nearly a dozen of the parents stood behind a podium and told a panel of district experts why they initially pulled their children out of local public schools.

"Shame, shame on you," one irate parent scolded. "You don't help children. You make parents feel like they don't belong in the school system. We are your backbone."

According to finance director Deborah Bruggink, each child pulls in approximately $3,998 in state funding. If all homeschooled students enrolled in district schools, that could add as much as $3.34 million to the district's budget.

One reason for attempting to bring back children who are homeschooled has to do with to trying to increase funding for the district — a fact that Alexander acknowledged.

"Yes, I want to generate more funding," he said. "But we also have a wealth of programs (here). I would never insult your decision to educate your kids at home."

But there are more than 2,000 other local children who attend private schools, parents said.

"Do you intend to get a list of kids at private schools and try to (recruit) them, too?" asked Spring Hill resident Doreen Gadow. "A lot of us feel we're being singled out as 'them,' and that might help soothe that feeling."

Alexander gave parents a rundown of the district's newest programs, including $8.4 million spent on technology at all 22 schools, new performing arts programs at middle schools, a career academy at each high school and the International Baccalaureate program.

Pasco County teacher Mike Maynard also stood at the podium and told parents their children would receive a better education in public schools — a statement that sent a rumble of angry laughter through the crowd.

"You're comparing apples and oranges," Spring Hill resident and home school parent Suzanne Baird told him. "You see the advantages because that's where you are, but there are advantages where we are, too."

However, the meeting did generate mild interest among some parents in enrolling their homeschooled children in "a la carte" classes, or some public school classes or electives.

While homeschooled students cannot attend magnet schools, they may take classes at their zoned school if there is space available, student services director Jim Knight said.

"We intend to meet with principals next week to remind them of this, so they'll be aware of it," he told parents.

But others made it clear that it there are many layers to their reasons for staying away.

"If you go back to the basics again, a lot of us will follow you anywhere," said Brooksville resident Carol Lawhorne. "But if you continue to teach to the (Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test), we're not coming."

The meeting was recorded and will likely be broadcast at a later date on the district's educational TV station, HITV, officials said.

Reporter Linnea Brown can be reached at352-544-5289 or lbrown@hernandotoday.com.

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