The School Equity Caucus, an organization of 250 K-12 and Intermediate school districts, does not support the Kids First! Yes! Petition language to amend our state constitution to allow for the use of state funded vouchers with private and parochial schools. Our organization has sought the equitable and adequate funding of all our public K-12 schools.

Essentially we believe the goals of a quality educational opportunity for all children are not really served when public funds are diverted to other non-public educational operations that can have, and some do have, restrictive policies of admission, do not necessarily provide due process to students in order to continue to attend the non-public school, have admission policies that often steer children with physical, behavioral, and emotional challenges away from their school to the local public school, have operations that are not fully open to public scrutiny and have policies that promote and inculcate narrow cultural, ethnic, or religious values.

We do believe the goals of equal opportunity for all children are served by having a quality education program for all children that is adequately funded by public monies, as well as having non-public schools chosen by the parents/guardians that are funded by private resources.

Richard W. Wilson, Ed. D.
Executive Director