ESAs a terrible deal for students and taxpayers

Iowans share a history of valuing children's education. We believe every child has a right to a public education regardless of race, religion, or ZIP code and all children deserve a quality public school education. Unfortunately, Gov. Kim Reynolds and Republican legislators do not share these values and instead, have chosen to weaken our public schools.

For years, Republicans have underfunded public schools. Then in 2023, Gov. Reynolds and Republicans passed vouchers (Educational Savings Accounts) which gives our public dollars to private schools. Vouchers draw money away from public schools in the amount of $7,635 per student amounting to $900 million over four years. Cloaked as “school choice,” the facts reveal that two out of three students now receiving private school voucher money were already enrolled in private schools. Recipients are getting a taxpayer subsidy for a service they could already afford.

Rural schools are hurt the most by vouchers and underfunding. Small schools struggle to stay open and provide the opportunities children deserve. In small communities, the public school is the heartbeat of the town. When a community loses its school, the town loses jobs. Imagine how children and communities could thrive if $900 million was invested in our children's future and our public schools

Private school vouchers are proving to be a terrible deal for taxpayers and children. Vouchers shortchange the vast majority of Iowa students by committing public money to private schools without any accountability and transparency taxpayers deserve.

This fall, vote for public schools.

Ann Hart

Waukon