By Ben Velderman
EAGnews.org

RICHMOND, Calif. – The head of a California teachers union has given, perhaps, the lamest reason for opposing charter schools we’ve ever heard.

On Wednesday, United Teachers of Richmond President Diane Brown explained to West Contra Costa school board members why they should deny a petition from a Silicon Valley-based charter school operator to open a new secondary school within the district.

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It’s because the charter school operator has successful business people sitting on its board. And we all know how union leaders feel about successful business people.

“Can tech industry leaders and venture capitalists help improve our public schools?” Brown asked rhetorically, according to the Contra Costa Times. “Let’s leave education to educators, not business people.”

Brown wasn’t finished with her inane anti-charter argument.

She also claimed that charters only have a “small effect” on improving student test scores, and cherry-pick the best and brightest from the traditional, government-run schools, reports the Contra Costa Times.

Virtually everything Brown reportedly said is wrong.

Many charter schools across the nation perform demonstrably better than traditional schools and many serve primarily low-income, minority schools.

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The charter school operator in question –Summit Public Schools – specializes in helping disadvantaged minority students become college ready. Summit has six schools throughout the Golden State – one of which was recently named the 11th best high school in California.

Even more impressively, state data shows that 100 percent of Summit students meet the admission requirements of two prominent state-run universities, according to a Summit spokesman.

The Contra Costa Times reports that school board members will consider the Summit charter application next month. If it’s approved, the charter school may open its door to 120 students in time for the 2014-15 school year.

Teacher union leaders across the U.S. can learn a lesson from this little episode: Instead of making ridiculous, obviously untrue arguments against charter schools, just be honest and admit that unions oppose charters because they threaten organized labor’s monopoly of public education.

Teacher unions are obviously losing the charter school debate, but there’s no reason for them to lose all of their dignity in the process, as well.