Suggest a reform of the public schools and prepare for the firestorm. You will be attacked. Many who have favored choice for students, including paying tuition to private schools, get accused of wanting to destroy the public schools.

And yet today a public school faces closure. Not only has the public school system in Anne Arundel county, Maryland not come to its aid, the system seems openly hostile.

You see, the school is KIPP Harbor Academy. KIPP stands for Knowledge Is Power Program. The program is nationally recognized for its success with low-income students.  The KIPP Harbor Academy is a charter public school.

It took a public outcry to get the Anne Arundel County School Board to reverse its initial rejection and allow the school even to open. Now, after showing success, Harbor Academy desperately seeks space for its program. But a public school at only 38 percent of capacity mysteriously denied the Academy’s request to hold classes there.

The board of the Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts also denied the academy space, by just two votes. It did not go unnoticed that three of those on the arts board just happen to be with the school system.

What gives? You might want to call Anne Arundel County School Superintendent Kevin Maxwell, who recently said, “It’s not my responsibility. It’s not my school.” His phone number is (410) 222-5303.

Politely ask him: Is education for the children? Or not?

This is Common Sense. I’m Paul Jacob.