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I’m deeply concerned that provisions in the budget reconciliation bill working its way through Congress could weaken our schools, harm rural education, and reduce vital student supports and protections. Here in the County, our schools are the heart of our communities, but this bill could threaten their vitality and sustainability.
This bill, the “Educational Choice for Children Act,” which is now part of the reconciliation bill, would allocate $20 billion to establish a national tax credit program for school vouchers — an idea that voters have repeatedly rejected, for good reason.
Research indicates that these vouchers do not create new opportunities for families but rather help to subsidize private education. More concerning, vouchers could result in lower enrollment and less funding for our local schools, potentially leading to cuts in services for our children.
There would also likely be little accountability to provide crucial supports to our most vulnerable students, such as those with disabilities. This would only lead to worse academic outcomes at a time when our children need more support than ever.
We should be proud of our local schools as critical hubs for local services, education, sports, and more. The federal government should focus on investing in public education, not diverting funds away from our rural schools.
Lucy Richard
Presque Isle
