A few days ago I attended a meeting with the Board and other representatives of Loudoun County Public Schools. At this meeting we reviewed the 2016 legislative program for the school board, and discussed their goals and legislative priorities. Â
A few things struck me. First, the goals we discussed were somewhat general, and most would probably apply to almost any school district in the Commonwealth. We want our schools to develop critical thinkers, creators, and contributors. We want to exercise good stewardship of resources. We want our school system to reflect a culture of continuous improvement, and we want, primarily, to launch all of our students on to success.
Another thing you would have noticed if you attended this meeting with me, was the emphasis on innovation. I heard the word repeated several times, for good reason – no one wants our school system to get stuck in the rut of doing things the same way we’ve always done them simply because that’s how they’ve been done.
And, yet again, you would have noticed the big ask. It’s understandable (especially for Loudoun) that the school system would request more money – Loudoun is growing by leaps and bounds, and swelling to outgrow the schools they already have. They NEED more money to keep up with the demands of their student body.
For the friends of our public school system who want to see innovation, improved results for students, and more financial leverage for your public school district, I have exciting news. Last year, a bill I proposed that would do exactly that came within one vote of passing the Legislature, and is again poised to pass in Virginia this session! I’m referring to the creation of Education Savings Accounts. While these were proposed last year on a somewhat restricted footing, current legislation to enact Education Savings Accounts, or ESAs, is broader, and would leave all children currently using public school eligible.
The concept is simple – give families with children enrolled in public school the freedom to strike out on their own and find an educational environment that is perfectly suited to their child’s unique needs, learning styles, and interests, and give those families a portion of the money to spend on that education that the Commonwealth would have spent if their child had remained in public school.
We don’t have to speculate about what will happen if this is done – we already know, because it’s being done in at least one other state. Arizona has been using ESAs for several years, and the results have been phenomenal. Innovation? You bet! Parents are trailblazing new ways to teach their kids with the freedom and help they now have. Results? Study after study has shown to the satisfaction of just about everyone that school choice improves educational outcomes both for students in AND out of public schools (which is why a strong majority of parents support it!). Money? Public school districts need not worry – ESAs not only save money on the state level (since pupils only get to take away a part of their allocated per-pupil funding), they leave local districts with much stronger per-pupil spending numbers, as local districts get to keep 100% of the local funding that they’d otherwise have spent on an ESA student. This is a program that stands to benefit students of all kinds – whether they stay in public school or not!
This isn’t rocket science. It’s a tried and tested means of improving a state’s public education outcomes while keeping spending in line at the same time. I hope you’re as excited as I am about what the future holds for our students!
If you have any questions about this or other legislation, don’t hesitate to give me a call at (804) 698-1033, or visit my website at votelarock.us!
47 comments
When I had one of my sons in out of District Public School { Non Resident Student } the School was reimbursed $ 6,200.00 then.
Would I be reimbursed 90% of that $6,200.00 ? Now keep in mind that my Property tax never reaches that , and schools are 50% and higher of local budgets.
Wouldn’t it be more frugal to credit families that same percentage of the local budget on their property taxes. Will the locality which looses this student also loose that portion of student funding?
Don’t be mad at me for raising these questions cause if this passes my remaining childeren will attend Liberty Christian Academy. I often worry about the voodoo I do not fully understand. Get me strait on this
Liberty Christian Academy sounds like a good idea even if you disagree with this bill and it doesn’t pass.
Have you checked out the Liberty Home Bible Institute?
I am dead set against it.
Mr. Wood makes the proper point more, more, more.
In this LU area alone there is the Brookville public school district ; Leesville Rd Elem , Tomahawk Elem. , Brookville Middle and Brookville High. these public schools are what I call trickle down Thomas Rd ./ Liberty families.
If this passed these schools close then there is school consolidation { we are currently debating } , then does Campbell County sell to Liberty, it is crazy they keep growing. Liberty has their own Construction Dept..
They now have an engineering program and with all the local companies who desire more engineer’s maybe that is where some of J. Jr’s endorsement comes from , Trade worries for the local economy which we are all tied into around here. B&W , Centra , and Liberty are our largest employers, Areva just announced a layoff of 50. And there is merit as to why Ted Cruz kicked off his campain here.
Who ever it is they have to see our bread and butter is the middle class, and they come from all over America to here, it is free will and for a reason.
So you are against this bill, got it.
But, it sounds like you’re not happy with how large Liberty has gotten as well. Is that so?
And I was suggesting the Liberty Home Bible Institute because students can earn college credit from Liberty University from it, so your children could get ahead if they get diplomas from there.
Yea I am against the bill { it leaves some behind } and in fact on of the issue of funding public schools is touchy thing here in Campbell County. I am sure that you know of the Rick Boyer Mass meeting “crap”. Well I stand with the older wiser ones let’s just say that.
I am very happy with Liberty , and I think the world of men like Elmer Towns.
We do take advantage of much of what Liberty has to offer , but we also want to raise our childeren humbly , no silver spoon here.
I know a bit about that meeting, not overmuch though as I’m in a different part of the state.
Ah, well the Bible Institute isn’t a cheat or anything like that. Based on what I’ve seen, they give the students a good academic and Christian work-out. Gotta earn the credits.
It started way before the meeting , it was when local republicans would not endorse Boyer for Campbell County Clerk. The out cast are pillars in the community , Ex Sheriff , Commonwealth Attornery , An Ex Member of DPORS’ Board of Contractors { they could use his experience on the immigration issue, but bang lets shoot ourselves in the foot on that one }.
Thanks Joseph for the Bible Institute , the wife is checking it out.
Sorry on the NY TX thing i’ve meet many rural New Yorkers { NOT NYC }similar values to Southwest Va , i’d bet Texas is litterly redder.
Ouch, sounds like that would be unpleasant, what with how important both sides of the meeting were.
You’re welcome, glad I could help. And I’m glad you are checking it out. It’s always good to get the information hands on rather than taking somebody else’s word, especially online.
Ahh, no worries. My dad is from rural New York, so I know a little about how the folks out there are. They are decent, like the areas around Syracuse, but the major population of New York is blue. Texas, to me, is the gold star of Americanism. Texas Republicans have Christianity, family, friends, guns, and steak.
Campbell County residents will pay in the long run , National and State Republicans will find that the CCRP hold few numbers and the focus is to hack the budget . The Congression 5th is up with the retirement of Robert Hurt , the Republican Congressional candidates will find the professionals , law enforcement , employers and graduates of Liberty University who are teachers under the Campbell First umbrella. I sit back and watch as Boyer and the 4 out of 7 CC BOS members trip all over their manhood. To much spending , to much goverment , public schools need to close , well let’s see these people use their conservative citizens for their political laboratory. So many personal stories with these yahoos. At the Mass meeting these individuals were more concerned with who is going to the convention to vote to nominate Cuccinelli for Governor. I was approached to Delegate for him , I laughed at the person for he knew/knows what we are dealing with on the unlicensed contractor / illegal immigration issue in our area. He has been on my jobs many times over the past 30 years , I promised him a trip to the mud puddle the next time that he stops by , a little job site personal accountablity after all it is the
” Immigration Battle “. G_D created all men equal , but the willingness to learn falls on each individual himself. They are nitwits and frankly the Democrats in the City of Lynchburg are combatting the unlicensed contractor issue by requiring the General contractor to list more of the Subcontractors on the Building Permit Application , these 4 out of 7 on the CC BOS and one currently holds a contractors license are volunteering to remain in the dark .
All politics are local. Cruz and Trump will find the intellect within in the outcast , OTR { other than Republican } they must be look they are teachers { who Graduated LU } , the work for the county { uh , Deputies and Reservist } the back of my hat is stiched “infidel” and I wear it proudly because my oldest brought it home to me. Those who know the hat know who we are { all over America } and what kind of family we are { all over America }. Yes the ribeye is awsome. We were checking out the Bible studies last night , we do hope that are remaing sons attend LU , but I imagine sports will come into play , then there is that isle in South Carolina.
Sounds like a mess you’re dealing with.
All politics is local, hence why I keep saying we need to hold our local representatives accountable. Electing a President to fix things won’t work unless we fix our own backyard first.
Right, good teachers and good men and women, from Liberty and the armed forces, are always the better and more responsible choice.
True. Sports is a good draw for young men in college. Still, I’m glad that you are trying to get your boys to go to Liberty, never hurts to encourage them to take the most moral choice over the most flashy one. Right now I’m looking through Liberty’s online graduate classes myself.
Congrads , my oldest will be home soon hope he chooses LU.
Thanks, I’m deciding between Criminal Justice and Theology/Biblical Studies right now. I’m not interested in becoming a Pastor but studying the Bible is fascinating.
Liberty is also going to offer a one year degree in law so that people can study the law without becoming a lawyer. I’d like to find out more about the way American law works without becoming a lawyer and given that it’s Liberty offering this program, you know it’s going to be teaching about the law in terms of the Word of God. Sounds good to me.
Really? What is your oldest interested in for a college major?
To tell you the truth he is undecided. He is leaving the the Marines and looking to law enforcement , he is in NOVA now let’s hope some Federal agency sinks their teeth into him.
Liberty is great , the open arms , compassion . Jerry Sr. used to say we are going to have everthing so the college student would not want to be anywhere else. The Campus has an electricity of life or something , Jerry Sr. had one nice vision. They will go Divison 1 in sports soon , they will soon build a 120 Yard indoor Football practice feild.The growth of Liberty has brought in many fine people and families though we tend to shy away from the celebrity stuff.
That’s interesting. Liberty has a top 30 Criminal Justice online Master’s degree, if he’s interested.
With his background in the Marines he’ll probably have a great career in law enforcement. I mean, the police around here tell applicants that military service is greatly preferred.
Indeed. Though I think it’s more because of the mission of the college, to train people in the Word of Jesus. That’s why they are so popular, why there is such a strong community. The Body of Christ gathering together for higher learning in His name? That is powerful.
Shying away from the celebrity stuff is good. The focus of the administration should always be the students and the college, not how much flash and glitter they can bring in.
Joseph ,
This is where my justified anger comes from stupid legislation like this SB483. So you have a licensed contractor subcontracting to unlicensed contractors { at this point both are breaking the law}.
This legislation { SB483 }does not want DOLI to fine the Licensed General Contractor for the unlicensed subcontractors violation. That is it . It seems to me to go through a great expense for this bill gives credibility to the amount of licensed building contractors violating prohibited acts of Statutes
54.1-1100 { conspiring with an unlicensed contractor }. They are looking out for the law breaker. You see the direct behavior of our State Republicans to pander to illegal immigration all for the public to see.
Trump rightfully says ; ” stupid politicians “.
Calling them stupid won’t fix anything, getting yourself worked up won’t help, voting the politicians doing this out of office will be what fixes the problem.
I am far from calling DeSteph stupid { look who he is }, his name is on it someone put him up to it.
There is interdpartmental employee misclassification task force, they communicate. This bill needs the licensed contractor and the unlicensed contractor refered to DPOR for investegation for investegation they are admitting to violating statutes 54.1-1100 18VAC50-22-260 # 29 . The unlicensed contractor is in violation of many more laws . Both should also be refered to the VEC for audits performed under the Va. Employment Compensation Act they will then find neither has a open account with the VEC for quarterly filings and the random audit. Like I say I doubt DeSteph did this on his own , the enemy is within , he can’t be elected no way he is this irresponsible. The bill is in Commerce and Labor now , Black, Obenshain, Stanley , Newman , Norment , Stuart , Chafin , Cosgrove , McDougle , Wagner , Sturtevant , thats 11 Republicans 3 Dems { not listed } bet it comes out of committie. The wild Card is McAuliffe he knows , ” he knew the summer of 2013 before he was elected ” . Does he love illegals over Virginia , it effects The Task Force and the Misclassification legislation.
If DeSteph is doing something like that for personal or political gain he needs to face a primary.
I agree a primary is good. DeSteph worked on or with Homeland Security , he would be livid if he were to hold my file. These violations are easy to look up then cross reference on DPOR website for license check , then on to the Court system and you would not believe what you find.
If it gets out of Committee that would be terrible.
You mean he’d be lived if he had your file on the illegal immigration violations you’ve seen?
Yes you are correct.This legislation is happening because the General Contractor is now claiming that they are employees to the VOSHA officer on site and absorbing the fine so to avoid the VOSHA officer refering the case to DPOR { VOSHA /DOLI Policy change of July 01 , 2015 } .
That policy change needs to be law .The Contractors repeatedly use this labor and the fines get larger.
No fine should be forgiven or reduced until a proper adjudication process is exausted , both parties need to have audits performed to the 20 point IRS Misclassification audit { Va. Task Force standards are good also } , then the General Contractor needs to go before the Board of Contractors for reprimand { license revocation }. A big lobby group are the lumber stores like 84 Lumber , and the Home Builders Associations these stores are trying to use the illegal labor in pushing out local contractors.
Wonderful, that bill needs to die.
Yes, but not just yet. I wonder if the minutes of the Commerce Committee Mettings are available , and let it go a little further and see who pushes it in Committee.
If it’s closed doors, probably not. Still, it doesn’t hurt to try to get the minutes.
Trying to flush out the folks who need a primary by seeing their votes on this one? Not bad.
Steve Newman is my Senator he knows first hand on some of these criminal unlicensed contractors and some of their crimes locally {some awful}. It is like { dems }on gun laws , just chip away.
Hey Joseph , Hope all is well. Expect SB483 to be killed in Committee tomorrow { Monday Feb , 01 } .
Senator DeSteph is the NAHB Director {National Association of Home Builders} of the Tidewater Builders Association.
This is condoning illegal activity , an embarassment to the RPV , NAHB and Tidewater Bldr Assoc.
You are correct The Va. Beach Tea Party better primary him , the Dems. will pick up on this because it blocks interagency communication of the Employee Misclassification Task Force.
This act of the Elected Senator is the equivalent of having your own sleezy lobbyist casting votes and writing legislation to shows favor in illegal commerce .
BIG BLACK EYE for the NAHB
DeSteph should step down or refrain from being involved in casting ANY votes in Committee or on the floor this session. Wait untill his local media pick up on it.
Things aren’t too bad for me.
Excellent! I’m glad that bill is going to be stopped.
You said the Tea Party had better primary him, is there any sign of a candidate stepping up?
The Va. Beach Tea Party will address this on their own { they are republicans }, I am using a different route { it is a immigration battle }. And I doubt that Obenshain will allow it , for he wants to run as the next AG and currently Herring wants notification of unlicensed contracting { Oct 14 announcement }. If you were to read the VOSHA/DOLI policy change July, 01 2015 you will see some of how they are getting these contractors.
This is a National embarrasment to the NAHB. I will add a page on my website exposing them with no repercussion.
They can’t have a local director advocate the use of unlicensed contracting.
Ole ElChapo would sure love this bill from Republican Senato ElDeStepho
I thought at one time this was an interesting idea until I spent a little effort looking into where it had been implemented and discovered a few germaine facts Del. La Rock either neglects to mention or just plain ignores. Here is what this really accomplishes. (1) We create yet another new state government funded program that will in fact require additional funding sources and therefore THROWS more tax payer funded money at an educational system that is already one of the most heavily funded, lowest preforming among modern nation states (there is NO dollar for dollar match here in this scenario and anyone so claiming either hasn’t done their homework on the issue or is lying). (2) Given the completely expected shortfalls this will create in the existing local school districts by the withdrawal and redeployment of these funds (again forget the dollar for dollar swap out it just doesn’t happen) this has often resulted in additional funding requests and an actual increase in the cost per student figures in the local public school’s affected. This initial program last year looked to me to be very focused on the home schooling movement (still a small percentage of the total Virginia student population at 5% in 2015). So, what do we really have here at the end of the day? A likely general increase in total cost per student dollar amounts on a aggregated state basis and a program targeted on home and parochial schooling that will have minimal impact on the 88% of the general student population in the public school system in Virginia. Another somewhat disturbing corollary that arose when I looked at this more carefully is that the reallocated funds Del. LaRock is proposing to be pulled from the local school budgets on a per student basis generally will not cover the typical full necessary expenditures for enrollment in the typical parochial or private school environment. So without additional funding this program is NOT going to be readily available to Virginia’s lower income families’ but more a tax relief stipend refunded to upper middle class and wealthy parents to assist underwriting placement of their children in private educational systems. If this bill were severely restricted to home school environments only and provided with an iron clad restriction on the backfilling of local public school income shortfalls by it’s statewide implementation then at least it would be less punitive to the general tax payer. But that is NOT what we have here rather it is nothing more then a special interest piece of legislation for higher income state tax payer’s subsidized by us all.
I have given up in today’s world of looking at what people are called or others may mistakenly call them from a political viewpoint, for example like the term “conservative”, and INSTEAD review very carefully what they are actually proposing. This is really nothing more then a new entitlement subsidy that is not really intended or able to simply reallocate funds to the benefit of the student but rather to provide some measure of tax relief (in the form of support for our local public school system) for a small segment (around 12% today) of the population. Sometimes reality can be a very long way from concept and this is being sold by Del LaRock as something it is clearly not and I can only hope the GA figures that out in time or we will see just one more example of costs and taxes rising once again in Virginia.
Great article by former Virginia Sec. of Education Gerard Robinson- Education Savings Accounts: The Virginia Story https://www.aei.org/publication/education-savings-accounts-the-virginia-story/
Public schools are last remaining monopoly in the US and it’s high time that monopoly ended. Students deserve options and choices, like we have in everything else.
I agree students deserve choices but that is not what this is, it’s a tax relief subsidy for a select few. If you support that fine I don’t.
“it’s a tax relief subsidy for a select few.” Actually, it is the exact opposite. Instead of only giving funds to those that attend public school, it would divide those funds amongst all the taxpaying citizens that are contributing to the educational system. The injustice is the current system which takes from everyone but only gives to the public school system.
Sorry but you don’t understand the LaRock proposed bill it’s not dividing anything it’s a simple funds reallocation that where it has been tried in the past like AZ and FL has created shortfalls in the public school system as it never turns out to be a dollar for dollar map (so local public school shortfalls require additional revenue back fills) and by the way there is a proposed 10% management fee cut off the top for the “state’s” program management efforts in this proposal so you are down that initial taxed amount right up front from the initial school based tax levy. If you are one of the 12% it benefits I’m sure it seems fair if on the other hand you are one of the 88% likely not so much. This is a special interest piece of legislation aimed directly at home school and parochial parent and students NOT a working systemic piece for the larger problem. This type of voter segment targeted legislation is the trademark of the Obama Administration and I dislike it there as well.
I disagree. It is not a voter segment targeted legislation. It is correcting an egregious wrong that has been going on for decades. The state mandates that every child receives an education. But, the state then forces everyone to pay for their system when there are other competing (and better) systems even when people that don’t use their system. There is no option to “opt-out” of paying for the public system and, by my back of the envelope calculation, over half of my state and local taxes go to funding education The 88% has been and is currently unfairly taking the tax dollars of the 12%. They are flat-out stealing it using the force of government through the taxation system. Yeah, the 88% will lose something. They should. Right now they are getting more than they deserve.
And again, why aren’t the dollars following the child’s head? For the children that have been pulled out, why are their dollars going to the public schools? Why aren’t those dollars going with them?
You need to read the bill this isn’t a dollar follow the child bill in fact it really translates into 80% of the tax payer collected cost per head being reallocated not including what previous implementations of ESA have shown create short falls in the public system with departing headcount. Putting to one side it really only targets a small percentage of students as I have already commented on in other comments its an inefficient use of tax funds unless you consider taking a public system tax allocated student and turning that collected fully loaded expense into 80% of it’s original value. Not much of a deal in my opinion. This isn’t about not doing something it’s about doing something dumb.
I’ve read the bill in its entirety. It is the best thing to happen to education in Virginia since the founding of William & Mary and brings the entire breadth of educational possibilities into the fold. Instead of focusing on the system, if focuses on the education of the individual child by allowing state funding to flow to the educational resources needed for that child as chosen by the parents.
Generally speaking, parents not using the public schools submit receipts every quarter to be reimbursed for educational expenses. They are reviewed and approved by the local school district and funds are then disbursed.
There is a 10% “retained savings” (i.e. hold-back) for administering the program. 10% of 12% (if everyone participated) is 1.2%. That is reasonable. What percentage of public educational funding goes to administrative educrats? Its more than 1.2%.
Sharing collected tax funds will effect the monies that local districts get for each student. Localities will then have the option of making up the difference or accept the reduced funding (unless the state increases overall funding, which is possible too) But, as stated, public schools are getting more then their fair share by using the force of the majority to inflict its will on the minority (private and home schoolers) by collecting the minorities’ taxes and only using it for the majority.
This is a really, really good bill.
Reading the budget impact statement, “The Department of Education estimates the need to hire three additional staff members to satisfy the requirements of HB 389.” Yawn. And, in fairness, “The bill likely would increase administrative costs at the local school division level, too; however, the actual fiscal impact to localities is indeterminate.”
Your position is “Localities will then have the option of making up the difference (e.g. additional taxes) or accept the reduced funding (unless the state increases overall funding (e.g. again additional taxes), which is possible too)”. So you are fine with others paying incremental to cover a program they will not use, much of what your complain of the current system is all about I thought. I’m frankly not OK with creating more of what you claim you don’t like in the first place. To follow this logic further why should I be forced to contribute anything in property taxes to my local school system as my children are grown, my grandchildren schooled out of state and I have used NO Virginia public education resources for over 20 years. If you have a case why wouldn’t the many in my situation have an even better one, as at least in your position you are making a choice regarding the method of your child’s education, while I’m being taxed for no choice and funding your child. I am by the way happy to do this as it is a critical part of supporting the next American generation. The reality of entitlement legislation is the recipient NEVER sees the issue in “receiving” it’s all good. I hope the GA rejects this outright and I encourage them to do so. By the way I won’t be expecting a refund from you for my tax support of your children.
Before I had children and after they all leave I will be paying taxes that go to education and I accept that is the price I pay for a civil society.
The BIG difference now is that I am funding my childrens’ education out of pocket. I am paying into an educational system that I don’t use, and then I have to pay for my own children. That is the problem. I should be able to opt-out of paying into the system while I have my own children to raise or, as this bill puts forth, receive the same allotment of funds that the state doles out to every child in the government school system.
Once my kids have flown the coop, my tax monies will go to fund schools I don’t use at all and I’m fine with that. But, as I stated below, I’m relieving the government of over $1M in educational expenses. The government should give me something for that. The biggest cost savings to the government is by parents who don’t use government schools.
Long term, this can actually end up sending more money per student in the government schools. If it encourages enough parents to use other methods, then the local government is relieved of providing funds for their education. That being the case, there will be more money for the other students. Initially, that won’t be the case. By my calculation, if that 12% all use these funds, that would drop the school budget 2-3% in the first year which is the initial cost to “buy-in” to the program but, after that, it will be in the government schools best financial interests to get as many kids out of their system as possible because it will raise the per pupil money available. Remember, if this plan works, you would roughly see the state contribute $6k/student to the parent. Locally, a kid in school costs $15k/year. Every kid that leaves the system frees up $9k.
First the past implementations of ESA’s has indicated that a Keynesian fiscal multiplier effect is imposed on the local school system’s financial budget that is well beyond just the simple arithmetic I have pulled from the bill and we have been discussing here. And as I believe you well know the reallocated “refund” the participants will be seeing back from the state system will not in the majority of cases cover the total parochial or private school tuitions of the children under question and require additional out of pocket expenses (home schooling may be a different scenario as a lot of extracurricular programs are being striped away) but I’m still not totally convinced even in that particular situtation. I assume you well realize this and that it is a major part of your pain that you and others are in effect being hit “twice” for this per student expense but with the proviso that this is a choice you have made not one forced upon you. But regardless I do get it, but do you fully understand that most families in the Virginia public school system DO NOT have the incremental disposable income in their existing budgets to make your choice a viable one for them? This program will not provide any real support for the exodus of public school children from the Virginia public system which you seem to believe is a desired option (another area where we appear to disagree) but rather a tax relief for those that can already afford that option in the first place. What do you believe would be left in place in the public system if your idea of a mass exodus of those that could finance the additional expense of this type of schooling were to ever occur? I believe you and all reasonable people know the answer to that question, a two tiered system leaving behind the poor and marginal income families that could not invest incremental income in this brave new world you call for and support. Virginia has a very decent public system today and the options to student education should be found WITHIN the context of it’s success, for example as the charter school system did for Florida or exGov. Jinal’s school choice legislation did for New Orleans and Louisiana in general not in some targeted segment legislation as this represents. All I’m asking for is a “real” discussion on what this bill really is, who it really benefits and the pros and cons on how it will address any systemic issues in the Virginia public system before the GA rushes forward to approve it. I don’t believe that is asking too much but given past history in Richmond it may well be.
So many points. First, the credit won’t be enough to fully fund a child. But, it certainly helps. Many parochial schools charge less than the actual cost of educating a child. With these additional monies, it is not unreasonable to think a parent could now only have to pay $200/month additional to have their kid attend a parochial school. In particular, the Catholic church often supports schools in poorer neighborhoods. $200/month is not nothing, but now parents of limited means in failing school districts have an option. It won’t be free, but free is generally bad policy anyway, and now they have a choice.
Second, the state mandates compulsory education. The state says a parent can choose the type of school: government, private or home. But, the state forces everyone to pay for the government school whether you use it or not. That is patently unfair.
Third, a good education is a good education whether a kid gets it at a government, private, or home school is of little importance in the end. The current schools system should not be treated as the sacrosanct divine right of kings a millennia ago. The education is important. The system that provides it is much less so.
A long overdue idea that needs to come to fruition. From the standpoint of asking “what is best for the student” you can’t argue against it. Unfortunately, the public school system is a paranoid creature who sees everything they don’t create as a threat. Education should be for the student, not the system. Go Dave LaRock!
I can and do argue against it as currently it is nothing more then a tax entitlement subsidy for approximately 12% of the upper income end of the general population of Virginia who can afford the actual fully loaded out of pocket expense of placing their children in private schooling environments. This program certainly does not provide open school choice for all classes of citizens on a full cost allocation basis and in my opinion it has the further disadvantage of discriminating against lower income families’ (perhaps unintentionally but there none the less) that might desire to move their children out of the public school system but can not afford the full cost allocation of doing so which this program will not provide. This bill needs to be rethought as now it’s more of a special interest tax subsidy bill then one addressing school choice for EVERYONE rather a select few.
Well, it is loooong overdue that the families who provide for their own childrens’ education get something back from the state. My kids don’t go to public school. By paying my property (and income) taxes and relieving the local jurisdiction of having to pay for my kids education, it is a net result of +$100k/YEAR to the government. Over my kids’ educational lifetimes, my family alone will relieve the government of over $1M in educational expenses. That isn’t chump change.
1. Why should I be forced to pay for other peoples kids first before paying for my own?
2. Why should the state’s annual allotment of per pupil education funds be limited to public school students? All parents are paying into the tax system, so all parents should get something out of it if the state is handing out funds.
Personally, I’d rather have a property and income tax exemption in proportion to what goes to the schools (i.e. 70% of my property taxes go to school funding and I’d rather have a 70% property tax exemption), which would be a smaller overall $$ number. But, the public school thieves have been pilfering my pocketbook long enough. I’m happy to have anything that moves the ball in the right direction.
I don’t understand what you intend. To do nothing? Because we can’t help everyone help no one? Are you implying that the BEST choice is private school and home school therefore it’s not fair to lower classes that you think can’t afford those choices? What does that say about the state of public schools?
There is another group you forget – single parents. Logistically they can’t afford the private and home school options either, whether it’s the added costs of uniforms, mandatory volunteer hours, or providing the transportation to and from school (who leaves work before 3pm if you didn’t get there before 8am?). Why don’t you consider that the public schools will end up better off. Teachers will have less kids. Kids will have less chaos in the classroom. Parents will have more attention and maybe not feel so hopeless about getting involved in the school.
Don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater. The school dollars are supposed to follow the child’s head. Right now the dollars do not. Don’t keep a bad system because we can’t find a perfect one. ANY improvements are desperately needed in our schools now. Now. We can improve in increments. We can change and modify. But enough with being paralyzed. We need to do something in the direction of improvement.
No straw man arguments please. There are plenty of other excellent options that have a proven track record for the “majority” of the parents and children in the public system that are in bill form before the GA such as charter schools and variants of open school choice. This is just a bad bill.