Arkansas recognizes the impact upon public education of the voucher program. An estimated 354 million if all that applied are funded. The legislative changes proposed are open to public comment. Arkansas legislators recognize changes maybe necessary. That, somehow, changes will make it okay. NO. It will not.

Using public money to support private education is wrong. It is unconstitutional. Each dollar spent on private education does nothing to improve the public schools.

Ark code 6-13-620. I refer all school board members to Ark code 6-13-620 (11).”Do all other things necessary and lawful for the conduct of efficient free public schools in the school district”. Conduct of efficient free public schools in the school district. School boards, it is your job.

As stewards of the public schools and subsequently guardians of the students that remain in the public system, consideration should be given to joining (permissive joinder) the lawsuit brought against the state that takes public revenue from the districts in the form of student vouchers. While I am a proponent and a strong advocate for other types of student instructional formats. I am against the use of public money for private education. The burden or benefits of private education should fall upon the parents who chose that avenue. Thank you