Fallin and the GOP find a new way to attack public schools

“Gov. Mary Fallin made robo calls last night asking Oklahomans to contact their senators in support of a school voucher bill (SB 609),” according to state education professional organizations. State educators are opposed to the bill, and are urging their members and the public to contact their Senators and urge them to vote NO.

The bill, authored by GOP state Sen. Clark Jolley (R-Edmond), would “Create vouchers, also known as education savings accounts, that would divert taxpayer money away from public schools,” according to an email alert to Cooperative Council for Oklahoma School Administration (CCOSA) members. The organization says, “Sen. Jolley has filed an amendment that would make important changes.”

CCOSA, the Oklahoma State School Boards Association, and the Organization of Rural Oklahoma Schools are urging their members, as well as parents and voters, to call their State Senator and urge them to vote NO on SB 609. The bill can be heard at any time, and must be heard by Thursday to progress. Both the Senate’s committees on Education (by a 6-3 vote) and Finance (by an 8-6 vote) sent the bill to the Senate floor with a “Do Pass” recommendation.

The professional organizations say, “SB 609 by Sen. Clark Jolley, R-Edmond, would create a voucher program. The amended version would be even MORE COSTLY for public schools and would begin for the 2017-2018 school year.”

Here are details on SB 609 provided by the professional organizations:

• To be eligible, students must have been enrolled in a public school for 100 days.
• On average, recipients would receive $4,227 annually on a debit card to spend on qualified expenses, including private school tuition, extracurricular activities, tutoring and textbook rental.
• This bill allows ESA/voucher recipients to use taxpayer money for homeschooling-related costs.
• For the first 10 years, participation would be capped. Each year, the program could add new students equal to one-half of one percent of total public school enrollment -- about 3,500 students per year based on current enrollment.
• That would put the first-year cost of vouchers at nearly $14 million.
• If applications exceed the cap, first priority is awarded to families with incomes greater than the amount required to qualify for the federal free or reduced-price lunch program but is equal to or less than two times that amount. (Editor’s Note: For a family of five, that would be an income level between $52,500 and $105,000.  Families that qualify for free or reduced-price lunches are not deemed priority applicants).
• In the first 10 years, the bill would divert almost $200 million from public schools even if public school enrollment doesn't grow and funding doesn't grow from current levels. 
• After 10 years, participation would no longer be limited and applications would be accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis.
• The state Education Department has previously estimated implementing the bill's provisions would cost the agency $880,000 in FY 2016.

Here are the reasons for the professional organizations’ concern:

• ESAs/vouchers would reduce funding for public schools -- $14 million in the first year and growing to $200 million over the first 10 years even with a participation cap in place. 
• The state Education Department estimates it would cost almost $900,000 in first-year administrative costs to implement ESAs.
• After 10 years, the participation cap would be eliminated, allowing unlimited participation on a first-come, first-serve basis.
• Statistics from other states show ESA/voucher programs are costly and disproportionately serve white families with more financial means and students who never attended public school. Read more here and here.
• Private schools and homeschool families would have no accountability for the public money they receive or the quality of education provided.

The organizations concluded their Email Alert by asking recipients to “Please share this information with your district staff, other local elected officials, community leaders and parents and encourage them to contact their senator for a no vote.”

To find your Senator, go to www.oklegislature.gov, and enter your address in the “Find My Legislator” box in the lower right hand corner of the page.

The Gayly – March 8, 2016 @ 4:15 p.m.