Few are the people that don't like ice-cream. Perhaps I don't remember meeting any anti-ice-cream-eaters because "weirdies" get filed in the black-hole of my memory.

This blog is for us "non-weirdies" who have appreciation for cold, sweet, drippy ice-cream.

Good schools are just like ice-cream. Traditional, magnets, and charters--they are all ice-cream--just different in flavor. Our quality school districts are the parlors where the decadent treats are being offered.

During a cone purchase, do you give much thought to what the other guy just bought? Or do you like me; give little attention to what's sliding down other people's pie-holes, read each item on the menu and savor the imaginary moment of indulgence before placing your order? My friends include ice-cream eaters of all flavors. Though we may be different in preference we respect each other's choices.

Imagine walking up to the counter and having the ice-cream man declare that the country is only serving vanilla, because vanilla is a fine flavor that should cater to all customers? We would have a national riot on our hands by strawberry, chocolate and sherbet lovers alike. Vanilla lovers would protest as well since demand for their special treat just went way up, which could cause a shortage and way more spoons in the container.

Many would suck it up and eat vanilla for awhile until that need for a flavor fix really sets in. If the ice-cream diversity ban was local, non-conformists may find themselves willing to travel or make their own. There are other brands of ice-cream out there too. In education we call them private schools. We pay more for a cone at the designer shop, but it is customized with toppings and warm waffle cone choices. Design shops have devoted patrons no matter what the other vendors offer, but imagine how their business would grow if they were the sole providers of flavor options.

A great ice-cream parlor caters to the varied needs of its ranging customers with equal appreciation, just like a sound school district is inclusive of the needs of all its students.

Have you ever been paying for your treat and had some guy hiss at you that your chocolate ice-cream purchase is hurting the sales of strawberry custard? Has someone told you they think less of you for not preferring their favorite ice-cream? I am going to guess no.

So why do some criticize other families for attending a different kind of school than theirs? Should we expect parents to sacrifice the schooling choice best suited for their kid, because one type of education should be fine for all? If we flooded all the kids into one type of public school, what are we really accommodating-the kids' varied needs or some desire to make others conform?

Debating which is better, chartered or traditional, is a waste if time. There is ample demand for all flavors of public education.