Compete or perish

For good reasons, the Coeur d'Alene School Board shot down the idea of a pay-for-K program.

For better reasons, the proposal to offer extra kindergarten for a fee was floated in the first place.

Let's start at the beginning. District administrators brought forward the idea that parents would have the option of enrolling their kids in all-day kindergarten for roughly $350 per month per child. Officials figured that the program would need just 45 students to break even, and could soon generate several hundred thousand dollars for the district each year.

Board members pointed out several problems with the proposal, ranging from ignoring the constitutional mandate to provide free public education to concerns about unfairly competing with private education providers. But we applaud the impetus behind the proposal, and encourage more of the same moving forward.

Public schools face the dual challenge of diminished state and federal funding while costs and competition both are increasing. The proliferation of charter schools, plus religious-based and other private schools tapping resources not traditionally sought by standard public schools, has further tilted the playing field. The pay-for-K idea is evidence that our educators are listening to patrons who demand public institutions be run more like businesses, seeking alternative revenue streams and investing where a strong long-term payoff is likely.

District 271 administrators should be commended for trying to find creative ways not just to offer a competitive product, but to improve basic education. Research shows children's most formative years are critically important to build a strong foundation for learning, and common sense dictates that two and a half hours a day for kindergarten-aged kids isn't enough.

The spirit behind the pay-for-K proposal will lead to better ideas that will strengthen public education. That's not just a noble cause; it's essential for the long-term economic health of America.