NJSBA Opposes Voucher Bill

NJSBA is opposing a bill that would use corporate tax credits to fund school vouchers – essentially diverting public funds to non-public schools at a time when boards of education are dealing with a $1.2 billion cut in state aid to education.

The “Opportunity Scholarship Act” (S-1872) was released May 13 by the Senate Economic Growth Committee. It now goes to the full Senate. The bill would give tax credits to corporations that contribute to a fund, operated by the Department of Treasury, which would provide “scholarships” – vouchers – that may be used at a public or non-public school of a student’s choice.

The proposal would divert a minimum of $360 million from the state’s general fund over the next five years.

“NJSBA questions the logic of diverting funds from the state’s revenue stream to private school programs at a time when sufficient funds are not available for our public schools,” said Marie S. Bilik, NJSBA executive director.

Pilot Program The Opportunity Scholarship Act would create a pilot program in 36 districts where at least one traditional public school, charter school or alternative public school is identified by the state Department of Education as “chronically failing.” Any low-income student in the district, even one not attending a “failing” school, could apply for a voucher.

In addition, the bill would reserve one-quarter of the funds generated by the tax credits for students already attending a non-public school.

“The bill also raises practical questions,” said Bilik. “Who is responsible for transporting ‘scholarship’ students to the schools outside their home district? Is it the student’s district of residence, or the receiving district? Will designated districts be required to replicate support programs available to students in their original districts, such as after-school programs?

“This proposal ignores local school boards’ responsibility to represent their communities in determining school choice options,” Bilik continued. “It also does not address the needs of students in targeted districts who do not participate in the program. A better approach would be for the state to direct improvement efforts within the public school system in a way that ensures that they reach all schoolchildren.”

Choice Bill In other news, the Senate Education Committee on May 13 approved S-1073, which makes permanent the voluntary interdistrict public school choice program that the state Department of Education created approximately a decade ago. The bill already passed the Assembly,   and is now poised for a vote by the full Senate.

The bill does not require districts to take part in any choice program if they do not want to. NJSBA supports the measure. NJSBA believes in local determination of school choice within the public schools.  Options could include choice among schools in the district (intra-district), including charter or magnet schools, or could extend to schools in other districts (inter-district) through mutual agreement of the school boards.

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