Category — Override Moms

Mr. Lopez is the male, California version of an “override” mom. They can never get enough of your money to provide subsidized private school quality educations for their children. And when the hard times come for everyone, they’re quick to explain why that’s your problem and not theirs.

However, there are a few interesting things to note here:

I was sitting with Jeff Kelly, who moved into a costly fixer-upper last year just to be in the Ivanhoe neighborhood so he could avoid the cost of private school. He said he’ll pony up too, although on principle he’s conflicted.

Bet your last dollar that Jeff wouldn’t be “conflicted” about passing those costs onto his neighbors. “Override” moms myopically focus on their needs and never consider that other people are struggling to make ends meet too.

At nearby Micheltorena Street School, where more than 90% of the students qualify for free or reduced-price meals, the principal told me that of course she can’t match that kind of parental support. She’s hoping that given the greater needs of her students, she’ll be spared harsh cuts. But like other principals, she doesn’t yet know how bad the news will be.

If we replaced the teachers at Micheltorena with PhD educated, highly committed faculty, do you think the educational outcomes would skyrocket? I’d argue no. They’re missing a key element that’s staring Mr. Lopez in the face—parental involvement. You can have the best teachers, facilities, athletics, etc, but it’ll go for not if parents abdicate their educational responsibilities.

Mr. Lopez’s active engagement is a huge difference maker in the quality of his child’s education. It isn’t strictly about squeezing more nickels out of his neighbors.

This convoluted reasoning supporting Prop 2 ½ overrides is like getting brain freeze after eating a really cold desert too quickly:

“No one likes to pay taxes,” said Jayne Adelman of Lexington. “[My husband] and I struggle each year to figure out how to pay our tax bill. I sometimes think of moving out of Lexington to a community where the taxes might be lower. If I stand on a corner with these people, it is not because I am a mom for more taxes….

Just admit it—you’re for higher taxes because your neighbors are subsidizing your kid’s “private” school education. Moving out of Lexington for lower property taxes can wait until your kid(s) graduate from high school.

More from this “override” mom:

…I would carry a sign because I believe that we as human beings have an obligation to take care of one another and to provide basic human and social services for one another.”

Lexington can’t provide “basic” educational services without an override? I’d like to see Mrs. Adelman make that case. But besides knowing the schools will open tomorrow, aren’t we all a little numb to these Chicken Littles? You can only tell people life will cease as we know it without more taxes a couple of times before the sheep get wise to the fact they’re being fleeced.

However, there are always exceptions that prove the rule. For example, Newton taxpayerssheep are still considering funding the Taj Mahal of high schools. Its “projected” (read not done growing yet) budget is $186 million. Basic educational services indeed!