(Greenfield) Iowa House District 20 Representative Ray Sorensen sheds some light on the Education bill dubbed “the voucher bill” by those opposed. It is broken up into three different bills to make its way through the subcommittee process.
Sorensen says those in support of the ESAs say it is a surgical approach that helps those trapped by their zip code to find a better option for their child. Those opposed claim that these proposed “vouchers” would be the “ruination of rural schools” and “public money needs to stay in public schools.” A couple of things to note in this bill are that it only would affect 34 school buildings, and if a student elects to use the scholarship, two-thirds of the per-pupil funding stays with the left school, and only one-third goes with the student. That allows the parents and student/s freedom and leaves funds at the school to work on improving.
“Essentially a win-win,” said Sorensen. “I’m new to the education committee, but shouldn’t we be looking at what is best for the students, parents, and teachers, not necessarily what’s best for the school boards and administrations?”
Sorensen says he’s gone into detail on the many divisions of the bill in previous newsletters. Remember, articles and opinion pieces may be full of half-truths and not grounded in fact. Don’t let passion and party politics blind you. I was hoping you could do your own research, cross reference everyone, including me.