Hypothetical … let’s say my kids finally agree to take out the smelly kitchen trash for me, but before they do they dump a few handfuls of wet garbage around the house, creating a whole new problem. This is similar to the Utah House voting to give teachers an annual bonus of $6,000, but only if a voucher program is passed into law. They finally agreed to the raise but created a whole new problem by syphoning money from public school funds. Never mind teachers should have gotten this raise years ago, but now the carrot is fastened to the string leading them into quicksand.

As if the time between Christmas and March isn’t tortuous enough with the air quality, cold temperatures and malaise, we get to enjoy the ultimate exercise in flagellation — following the actions of the Utah Legislature. This is the only job where simply knowing how to spell the word “educator” is enough experience to act as one.

The nuanced discussion of a school voucher program is so complex, an immense decision affecting millions now and into the future, the Utah Legislature’s 45-day session will not do the research justice. I get more time deciding if I wanted to switch internet providers during the 90-day free trial period.

A decade ago, I helped gather signatures to fight vouchers, particularly because my mother was a teacher and I worked in the same school as an after-school director. As in all things, it wasn’t until I gained more experience that I had a perspective shift. I became the parents of children enrolled in Utah schools.

While I completely disagree with taking public funds to use for a private entity, I do understand the draw of school choice. If one is not afforded the options they need to experience success, they should be able to go elsewhere. But that’s a utopian thought in the real world. Maybe a parent isn’t happy Junior isn’t learning the Bible every day, so he/she moves them to a religious school. Would this child be set for success in the real world? One would also have to ask about the tax implications.

I can see how parents looking for an ideal setting for a struggling student are drawn to vouchers. They need a suitable classroom, complete with speech pathology and behavioral therapy; oftentimes a reading specialist is called in to help. This is a challenge in some school districts. I’ve experienced this first-hand, even learning that Weber School District doesn’t have enough resources for students diagnosed with dyslexia. Not all public schools have the special education resources “in house,” and when they do, it may not be enough for all students.

If we take those facts, the logical next step is to ask why they don’t have the resources? The answer is the same for folks who don’t have enough food, clothes or toilet paper — money. The voucher bill, HB215, called “Utah Fits All Scholarship,” would push 42 million public dollars into private, charter or home schools. This is tax dollars going to private entities that don’t have to answer to the very people who gave the money. The bill states, “Nothing in this part (Section 53F-6-406) … grants additional authority to any state agency or LEA to regulate or control: a private school, qualifying provider, or home school: students receiving education from a private school, qualifying provider, or home school applies to or otherwise affect the freedom of choice of a home school student, including curriculum, resources, developmental planning, or any other aspect of the home school student’s education.”

How will you feel when our tax dollars are spent in the FLDS home schools as they “educate” their children about Warren Jeffs instead of reading, writing and math? According to the language in HB215, a “program manager” will oversee the “scholarships” offered through the voucher program. For the school year of 2024-2025, the amount is $8,000 per student of public funds.

Another important part of HB215 states, “A qualified provider may not provide the same level of disability services that are provided in public school.” This is key for families looking for more support. While I write about lack of resources, schools getting voucher dollars don’t have to provide any, while public schools must provide disability services. Public schools by law must offer support, while charter, private and home schools do not. There is a major equality discrepancy between public and voucher schools. I home-schooled my children for nine months, one of the most difficult tasks I’ve ever undertaken. In that time, I fully recognized my love, patience and reading did not equate to the skills and knowledge trained teachers employed to help my son who is neurodiverse.

Many of the K-12 private schools in Utah are fantastic and expensive. Being in Northern Utah, I know St. Joseph Catholic school educated some amazing students. Judge Memorial has a strong reputation. My teen daughter is very drawn to the idea of attending a public charter school, Northern Utah Academy of Math, Engineering and Science (NUAMES), as she looks for a greater challenge in the classroom. For me, the biggest appeal of a voucher program is strengthening the charter school my child may attend. This will weaken the public school my other children and community attend.

The bill put forth does put in parameters of expectations for the institutions receiving the $8,000. There are required audits by licensed independent accountants, institutions must submit the finding to the program manager and students are expected to compile a portfolio showing off their accomplishments at the school, but again no proof or concern over what the student is actually learning. This is hypocritical when just a year ago, lawmakers debated critical race theory in schools. According to the stipulations of HB215, CRT can be taught in private schools that may be funded by tax dollars, but not in public schools, also funded by tax dollars.

The lines are muddled when discussing school choice, which is why the debate needs to be much more than 45 days. The state is split with members of the Legislature voting in favor of HB215 and the elected state school board, Utah Education Association and PTA on the other. Parents, students and teachers are smack in the middle. At least Utah teachers will receive hush money as they get swallowed by the quicksand HB215 leads them into. By the time state lawmakers vote and Gov. Cox signs, I will be a week into my free trial of that new internet provider.

Meg Sanders worked in broadcast journalism for over a decade but has since turned her life around to stay closer to home in Ogden. Her three children keep her indentured as a taxi driver, stylist and sanitation worker. In her free time, she likes to read, write, lift weights and go to concerts with her husband of 17 years.

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