Editor, Ceres Courier,

Thank you for speaking out in your editorial about AB 84. As a parent, I’m deeply concerned by how this bill unfairly targets charter schools and the families who choose them.

I chose a charter school for my child because it was the best fit for our family—not because I was trying to avoid accountability. In fact, our school is completely transparent. Their budgets, board meetings, and test scores are all public. I’ve seen firsthand how responsive they are to parents. We are welcomed, involved, and heard. That’s what real educational partnership looks like.

So it’s frustrating to see charter schools under attack, while public districts that have faced serious fraud—like $16.7 million stolen in Magnolia, or $3.3 million in Mt. Diablo—continue without the same level of scrutiny. If this is about accountability, it should apply to all schools—not just the ones that offer families a choice.

AB 84 feels like a punishment for parents like me who simply want a say in our children’s education. We shouldn’t have to give up our rights in exchange for transparency—we already have both.

Please don’t take that away.

Shelly Thompson 

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