The City of Racine was one of the first cities to include a breakout of how much taxpayer money goes towards voucher schools.
The Racine Journal’s Editorial Board wrote an editorial detailing why they believe breaking out the voucher amount is misleading to the public and disagreeing with a move to make it a common practice statewide.
Including property tax dollars that go towards voucher schools could be confusing for taxpayers, as it implies that if there wasn’t a Parental Choice Program, then that “voucher money” would go back in the taxpayers pocket, which is not accurate. That money would simply follow the private school student back to the public school district.
The editorial points out that breaking down one “line item” cost that is paid for by Wisconsin taxpayers could lead to a host of other special interests pushing to have other state spending listed on the bills.
If we break out education spending why not transportation funding, economic development, criminal justice and the like?
WCRIS principals can use this rebuttal to talk to their families and communities about why this shouldn’t be considered best practice. Additionally, below you will find WCRIS School Facts that include real numbers for the Parental Choice Programs that you can use as talking points during the upcoming legislative session.
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