Myths about Tassajara Prep

The concerns raised by critics of Tassajara Prep fall into four distinct categories:

HARM

1. Instead of diverting our resources and energy to building a new high school, why not work with the district to improve the current high school? Tassajara Prep will provide another choice in public high school education for families in Dublin, CA, so students may find the school that best meets their needs. Dublin High School is a good high school, and Tassajara Prep will not detract from the scholastic achievements of Dublin High School students.
2. Tassajara Prep will be taking money away from Dublin High’s programs (e.g., fewer AP classes and enrichment programs). Like any other public high school, Tassajara Prep will receive funding from local property taxes, state education aid and categorical funding programs, the California Lottery, the federal government, fundraising, and other sources. That money has always belonged to the students and should, therefore, follow the students to their school of choice. Neither Dublin High School nor Tassajara Prep is entitled to that money. Dublin High School will receive less funding if it has fewer students to educate. If managed efficiently, the cost of AP classes and enrichment programs should decrease.
3. Having high schools on both sides of town will divide Dublin and do permanent harm to our city. Many cities in the East Bay have at least two high schools. Cities like Pleasanton, San Ramon, and Danville have survived and thrived with two high schools. Most families prefer having a choice of schools, and friendly crosstown rivalries help elevate performance and contribute to the vibrancy of the community.
4. Tassajara Prep will lead to massive job cuts throughout the school district. Tassajara Prep will hire teachers and produce a net gain in teaching opportunities in Dublin. The number of available teaching positions due to turnover in traditional district-run public schools like Dublin High School is typically higher than the number of teaching positions that need to be consolidated due to charter schools. A 2004 study of teacher turnover found the national annual turnover rate to be over 15 percent. The reduction in the teaching force due to the opening of Tassajara Prep will allow Dublin Unified School District (DUSD) to reduce their hiring needs through attrition alone. The claim that charter schools will cause teachers to lose their jobs is therefore unfounded.