I was saddened by the recent article, which gave front-page attention to the various opinions of Mary Ellen Mess, including the idea of choosing a school for one's children in order to find friends for one's self ("Mess: Race, class issues divide school systems," March 9).

As a parent of two children at the Red Bank Charter School, I found no trace of recognition in her portrayal of my motivations in applying for the Red Bank Charter School lottery.

At the same time that my oldest was entering kindergarten, the state granted RBCS the right to expand to include grades K-8. I was seeking an alternative to traditional education for my children but did not consider continuing into the kindergarten program at my daughter's preschool because it was an all-white environment that does not reflect the world in which we live.

And while I was not seeking friends, I was seeking like-minded people who value education and were willing to try the new primary program at RBCS.

Our school thrives because of the partnerships between parents and the school. Through the work we do for the school, we have formed many friendships and alliances. Ms. Mess, have you ever visited our school or asked an RBCS parent why they chose it? What you would see is what the parents have in common - we care about children, all children.

Ms. Mess' comment, "We like to pretend it's about test scores." was very snide. I will admit that I did not know about test scores or performance when my daughter was entering public school.

Test scores were not on my mind when I considered where to best place my child so she could thrive and grow. To educate oneself about a school district, test scores are only a piece of the puzzle, and not a true indicator of the value of the education being offered.

Through the charter school, my children are getting a well-rounded education in an environment that shares the values that I instill at home. They are not only learning core curriculum but are also learning life lessons on how to be respectful of themselves and others, and how to grow into the young adults who will some day run our country.

Ms. Mess, you have served a long time on the Board of Education and know that problems in the borough schools predate the charter school. The charter school is only 8 years old and cannot be blamed for every ill in our borough's schools.

The state of New Jersey gives parents the right to choose a charter school as an alternative. I value this choice and would hope to be able to work together with the borough school parents, rather than against them, to help all of our children to be good learners who become great leaders.

Marian Donohue

Red Bank