This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2007, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
In regards to the school vouchers, all children are entitled to free, appropriate public education - not private.
School choice has always been there, but every choice has consequences whether they are good or bad. When a parent makes the choice for opting to send their child to private school, I should not have to bear part of the consequence by having my public tax dollars go to a private institution instead of the public institution it was meant for.
As a parent who has a child in private school, I feel it is my responsibility to pay the costs for that decision. I should not hurt those who choose to keep their children in public education or are unable to choose private school because of the costs, because of my choice.
If people really want to help the children of the "middle/lower" income bracket to attend private school, then let the private businesses and other philanthropic individuals start a scholarship program that would allow donated funds to be distributed and help pave the way to the private schools.
What needs to happen is adults need to get off the entitlement bandwagon and start owning up to their responsibilities.
Janet Moulton
Salt Lake City