DePRIEST: A very reasonable solution
Many thanks to Ed DePriest for his well written recent opinion piece regarding the proposed use of public funds for private schools. As a staunch supporter of public school systems, the bedrock of our democracy, I welcome any suggestions that address this funding matter.
Mr. DePriest begins by stating that “School Choice” is a misnomer. Parents in Idaho ALREADY have the choice for public or non-public schools. That is not an issue.
The issue is MONEY. Specifically, the issue of using public dollars to subsidize private schooling.
Mr. DePriest offers a reasonable solution to this ongoing debate: Instead of giving tax credits or vouchers to parents who choose the private school option, he proposes that they be exempt from paying to support public schools. The exemption would be based on what the parents would pay to support public schools via their school district, state and federal taxes. That amount will undoubtedly be less than the currently proposed $5,000-$9,500 credit/ voucher for parents who choose the non-public school option.
This is a solution I can support. My tax dollars would not be used for private enterprises.
Parents would pay for their non-public schooling choices while being exempt from financially supporting public schools.
Most importantly, Gov. Little’s offer to provide a separate funding stream to finance credits or vouchers would not be needed. Perhaps that proposed $50 million should be diverted to Idaho public schools instead?
KARA KRAL
Coeur d’Alene