The same consulting firm that provided this capital requirement estimate suggests that property taxes would need to increase over 20 percent in the next few years to finance this construction. While the state of North Carolina is charged with ensuring an education for our children, it is not a requirement that it also construct and manage schools.

Our state and Moore County leaders should consider all education options, including public school, private/parochial schools, charter schools, on-line schools and for-profit schools.

Specifically, we should consider removing the artificial limit of 100 charter schools in North Carolina (which has recently been reached), and an expanded school choice system.

School choice programs have been successful throughout America, including Ohio and Wisconsin. Programs are typically funded by publicly or privately funded scholarships, or tax credits or exemptions. In fact, a significant portion of our college education system is funded through such programs as Pell Grants.

These grants essentially serve as vouchers, allowing a student to use those funds at a college or university of his or her choice.

Most county public school systems operate as monopolies, which are rarely efficient with their resources. An expanded school choice system would likely bring additional outside resources to our community to assist with the education of our children. It would likely reduce taxpayers' burden by decreasing the building needs for Moore County public schools.

An expanded school choice system would make parents consumers of educational resources for their children, improve competition, and increase choices for all parents.

Matthew Harmody

Southern Pines