In response to Kathy Bence’s letter, “Giving parents a choice”, voucher money from “tax paying parents,” it is also money from tax paying people who aren’t parents, and tax paying people who don’t have school-age children.
Why do we all agree to pay tax to fund schools fully? Because it is in the public interest to educate our children and create adults who are able to think critically and benefit society.
I have a child at a private school, but I continue to pay taxes to fund public schools. The availability of a quality education for every student at a public school is important to me. When we reach the point that public schools are adequately funded, and there is a surplus in the education budget, I will consider the implementation of vouchers for use at a private school.
In the meantime, I would like to see greater funding to public schools, free school lunch to ensure all children are fed, and if we need vouchers, then they can be used for educational assistance (psychology, physical therapy, occupational therapy, learning assistance, language assistance, speech therapy etc). Until then, while all taxpayers are funding public education (and not just tax-paying parents), no tax funds should be diverted to vouchers.
Helen Reynolds, Salt Lake City
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