Apr

19

Speaker Husted: Yes to school choice

April 19, 2007 |

The Republicans have nothing to gain by sucking up to the Democrats. Stand by your principals and let the cards fall where they may. But parents have a right to direct their children’s education and the state should not hinder them from getting the best possible education. Lets hope that Husted is able to help Rev. Gov. Strickland to see the light. When the media says hope there is still time to compromise… is that mean they are fearful Republicans will win the day… or that Strickland will pull this out? I think I know the answer.

Democratic Gov. Ted Strickland and House Republican leaders are running out of time but still hope to compromise on Strickland’s plan to place a moratorium on new charter schools and yank the state’s school voucher program everywhere except Cleveland, both offices said Wednesday.

The Statehouse has been crowded this week and last with both supporters and opponents of the two programs. Teachers unions and other public school advocates oppose the programs and applauded Strickland’s move, outlined in his proposed $53 billion, two-year budget. Supporters of the programs want that language removed.

Ohio’s charter schools, created by lawmakers in 1998, allow parents to send their children to privately run schools that are funded by the state. The schools operate mostly under their own rules.

The voucher program offers pupils scholarships to attend private schools. It started in 1995 as a pilot program for Cleveland schools but was expanded two years ago to include low-performing school districts statewide. Making it available only in Cleveland would return about $13 million to public schools, Strickland’s budget estimates.

Opponents say the two programs eat money that should go to public schools. At least one supporter is fed up with that argument, at least regarding the voucher program.

“I think all the districts should be allowed to have it. It’s all about education. I’m tired of the whining about where it’s spent,” said Lori Kaloger of Cleveland, whose three children have used the voucher program.

House Speaker Jon Husted, a strong supporter of what he calls school choice, says he wants the chamber to finish its version of the budget by May 1. He said he’s confident he can reach an agreement with Strickland on school choice.


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