To the editor:

"The year was 2081, and everybody was finally equal. They weren't only equal before God and the law. They were equal every which way. Nobody was smarter than anybody else. Nobody was better looking than anybody else. Nobody was stronger or quicker than anybody else. All this equality was due to ... the unceasing vigilance of agents of the United States Handicapper General."

So begins Kurt Vonnegut's 1961 short story "Harrison Bergeron." In this eerie, classic tale of our quest for equality run amok, Vonnegut paints a bleak picture of life with handicaps keeping everyone equal. For example, those with above average intelligence were required by law to wear "a little mental handicap radio in his ear ... Every 20 seconds or so, the transmitter would send out some sharp noise to keep people ... from taking unfair advantage of their brains."

Unfair advantage. This is the No. 1 anti-charter cry we hear from the powers that be in Gloucester. It stems from a belief that equity is only achieved by offering the same program to every child. I ask, "How is this fair to all the children for whom the offered program doesn't work?"

My question falls on deaf ears. A few prime examples: The now lauded robotics program was opposed because it could not be made available to every student. West Parish's Science Park faced similar opposition. This year, a teacher was forbidden from bringing in a science discovery program because it could only be made available to one class.

When I complained to my son's third-grade teacher that he was being given easy reading assignments (at home he was reading Harry Potter novels), the response was, "Well, this is our reading program. But don't worry; all the kids even out by middle school."

A frightening chill overwhelmed me! Vonnegut's 14-year-old Harrison Bergeron was jailed in 2081 for outgrowing his handicaps. Is this where we're headed?

The Gloucester Community Arts Charter School (GCA) offers choice in public education. Why is this so scary? Why are the powers that be so violently opposed? Is it because the chartering process was flawed? Perhaps. It is run by people; and people make mistakes.

At worst, Commissioner Chester was pressured by President Obama through Gov. Patrick to approve GCA because evidence proves that charter schools improve student performance. The irony is that based on his consistent words and deeds, Commissioner Chester needs no pressure. He embraces GCA's educational model and has faith in its board.

My experience with GCA's board is that it will not let the commissioner — or the people of Gloucester — down. The members take very seriously the responsibility placed on them to open GCA. It is a daunting task — especially in the face of continued opposition and procedural challenges.

The GCA board is ready, willing and able to face these challenges. Due to increased demands of my new business, I could no longer give GCA the time it needs and deserves, so I felt it best to resign. New people with decades of experience in education and management have joined GCA's founders. The board is moving forward with plans to open next year.

Tomorrow, the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education meets in Gloucester to explore its options. This is a nice way of saying its members are feeling — and responding to — intense pressure from the administration, the teachers' union and the powers that be in Gloucester, including our legislative delegation.

Because revoking a charter requires proving misrepresentation, the opposition is now taking that tack. Thankfully, the law firm of Foley Hoag is generously donating its time to represent GCA and put these specious charges to rest.

Once the dust settles, I hope the district administration, School Committee and City Council can finally embrace choice in education for Gloucester students and parents. If not, I shudder to think where we will be in 2081.

Peter Van Ness

Gloucester