I was not surprised to see the headline, “Valley Christian School captures Earning for Learning competition” (Nov. 27, Auburn Reporter), as going back many years Valley Christian has always won The Outlet Collection-sponsored competition.

While I hold nothing against this well respected school, the Nov. 27 story read more like an infomercial, and it did not even mention the other schools who placed in the competition.

Even more troubling to me are the contest rules, which would seem to favor the wealthy. The contest is for the most purchases at The Outlet Collection during the period of the contest. However, the contest has what many believe to be a loophole.

In addition to actual purchases from stores in the mall, Visa gift cards can be purchased from the mall, which can then be used anywhere Visa is accepted.

To win the contest each year, parents purchase large volumes of these cards, and then use these cards to pay school tuition, or other non-school expenses. Those with the most money to buy these cards win. This scenario plays out year after year.

Kudos to parents who figured this out, but it virtually rules out a winner from our public schools, where most parents lack the resources to buy these Visa gift cards, which do nothing to stimulate sales for The Outlet Collection.

This is a great competition for our schools and children, but it’s time for a change in the rules to enable an equal playing field.

– Phillip Stephens