Voucher debate draws standing-room only crowd
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No comments [ Add Comment ]By Sam Cooper
Standard-Examiner staff
O
GDEN -- The contentious debate over school vouchers continued Tuesday with a standing-room-only audience at the Weber County Main Library.
Residents questioned lawmakers on numerous specifics of the voucher bill, at the event sponsored by the League of Women Voters.
Issues including teacher certification, public education funding and constitutional matters were addressed.
Like numerous other voucher debates, much of the conversation was focused on whose statistics were the most accurate, with both sides often quoting contradicting numbers.
"I took math from my gym teacher, so I know it's true," said Rep. Brad Dee, R-Ogden, defending the assertion that property taxes would have to be raised to support the increase of students in public schools projected over the next 10 years.
Many in attendance were worried that vouchers would create a two-tiered system in which public schools, and particularly the poor, are left out.
"We need to support the kinds of things that level the playing field for everyone," said Robert Belka, who lives in Ogden. He was worried his tax money would be used to send kids to religious schools, which would be unconstitutional, he said.
"If they say it's for the rich, its not," Dee said. The proposed bill is set up so that individuals who make more than $100,000 a year would only be able to apply for a voucher for $500, he said.
For voucher opponents, arguments seemed centered around maintaining the funding fought for over the course of numerous legislative sessions.
"It's a matter of priority whether you put the money there or not," said Rep. Lou Shurtliff, D-Ogden. "I think we pay taxes into the system for all of us, whether we have children or not." She stressed that residents should be proud of the educational system.
"In many ways, we have a darn good public educational system," said Kim Burningham, state Board of Education president.
"Don't paint such a negative picture. We have one public education system, so let's make it the best," he said.
Others believe the public education system is failing the students. "Not one of my six children was taught math using the same approach," said Sen. Curt Bramble, R-Provo. "We've got to bring the competitive approach back to the table."
