To the Editor:
In a letter dated March 24, 2023, John Brower of Summerville, South Carolina informed readers that, instead of paying school taxes, he and his wife vacation in Europe. Good for them.

Mr. Brower complained about paying school taxes when he lived locally. In exchange for his European vacations, Mr. Brower lives in a state which, according to U.S. News and World Reports, ranks No. 44 nationwide in overall education quality, No. 42 in Pre-K through 12 education, whereas New York ranks No. 16 in overall education quality and No. 19 in Pre-K through 12.

Additionally, WorldPopulationReview.com awarded South Carolina an overall rank of No. 42 nationwide in education quality and No. 48 in safety, whereas New York’s overall rank in quality was No. 11 and No. 16 in safety.

The Children’s Trust of South Carolina published an article on Nov. 7, 2022, in which experts discuss some of the factors which contribute to the state’s abysmal ranking, citing various factors including the fact that the “public education system here in South Carolina — where more than 90% of our children attend school — has been chronically underfunded ….”

I do not have children and therefore have not reaped the personal benefit of putting children through public schools. However, I prefer to live in a society where education is valued and where young people are best prepared for college and beyond with a sound educational background. I will gladly pay my school taxes to help to achieve that end.

Jill Loew

Guilderland