Should school board members send their kids to public school? - WSMV Channel 4

Should school board members send their kids to public school?

As Metro students prepare to return to school for the first day of classes Wednesday, many of their parents are considering their options in Thursday's elections.

Five of the nine seats on the Metro School Board are up for grabs, and a decision every parent makes about his or her child's education is becoming a hot issue in the race.

The members of the school board constantly make key decisions that impact every student sitting at a desk in Metro schools. But what if those members choose not to send their own children to Metro schools?

Former Metro Councilman Eric Crafton, candidate for school board, made that very decision with his kids.

"I really believe firmly in having a faith-based education along with academic rigor, and, unfortunately, the public schools don't allow that," Crafton said.

The issue over where school board candidates sent their kids to school comes up from time to time in election season, and this year it has been an issue in District 9, which represents west Nashville and Bellevue.

Candidate Amy Frogge is a former PTO president at Gower Elementary, where her two kids go to school. She said while she believes it's a personal decision to decide where to send one's kids, she does think her experiences give her a personal stake in the school district.

"The decisions I make are going to affect my children, are going to affect my friends' children and my community, and I'm interested in not only helping our kids but the kids with the least resources in our schools," Frogge said.

Candidate Margaret Dolan has been the top fundraiser in the district and has the support of Nashville Mayor Karl Dean. And the fact she chose not to send her children to public schools has become an issue.

Dolan said her involvement in the district is well known and that everyone in Music City has a stake in the school district, whether they have kids there or not.

"The public schools are important to all of us," she said. "It's a moral obligation to educate every single child, and it's a key driver of our economy."

Two other candidates are also seeking the District 9 seat on the school board - Bob Bogen and Ronnie Osborne.

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