Efficiency upgrades to air conditioners, windows and insulation are usually offered but priced very high since they are nonstandard orders for the builder. Options usually carry a much higher profit margin than the standard house. The high price makes the payback time period much longer so the homebuyer often declines. Given the current energy crisis and potential for large future price increases, more cities need to follow Frisco's lead and make tighter efficiency standards the law. Home prices will increase a little but in the long term homeowners, our energy supply and the environment will all benefit.
Charter schools are by definition schools of choice.
If the parents are happy with the district schools they will not go to charter schools. Unhappy charter school parents will not stay, either. Charter schools have a higher percentage of teachers with masters and doctorates than do the traditional Texas public schools. Ms. Collins complains that some charters focus on athletic skills such as ice skating and gymnastics without comparing them to some district football factories where the coach is paid more than the principal. Finally, she complains that charter schools are not held to the same standards as district schools.