Chuck Hughes, Board of Education
♦ I fail to see the unconstitutionality of any program that gives parents free choice to choose where they want their children educated. I also question the reasoning of those who challenge the scholarships program out of concern that “the private schools aren’t held to the same level of accountability as public schools.” I believe the concern is more related to the money that follows each student who transfers to the private sector than to any inequality of education. False arguments must not distract from the parental rights of free choice. When necessary, these choices should be supplemented by the same public school dollars coming out of Raleigh. Tax payers are not harmed by either scenario.
I believe the majority of our public schools are excellent, however, the issue is one of free choice – a choice that one sector of society has that another sector does not have because of its pecuniary standing, something over which the children have no control.
Since the target of this free choice law was focused on families who otherwise could not afford to enroll in the private sector, this decision must be challenged and over ruled or the most disadvantaged will continue to be denied the same school choice options enjoyed by their more prosperous peers.
