Lawmakers consider school voucher bill

Jennifer Coleman

Thursday, April 8, 1999 | 9:20 a.m.

CARSON CITY - An education voucher plan has been praised as a way to save children from attending run-down schools - and criticized as an assist to "wacko" sects.

Sen. Maurice Washington, R-Sparks, told the Senate Human Resources and Facilities Committee on Wednesday that his SB385 would get children out of "dilapidated and inadequate" schools and help save them from a cycle of poverty.

But opponents of SB385, which would give private or parochial schools state money to teach low-income students, say there's no accountability or control over those public funds.

"Under this bill, any wacko, quasi-religious sect could open a school that taught English during first period and taught how to bite the heads off chickens during second period," said Steve Williams of the Washoe County School District.

He added that Washington's description of schools as "dilapidated" was an unfair characterization.

Washoe County schools were recently commended by Senate Majority Leader Bill Raggio, R-Reno, for improvement in state test scores, he reminded the panel.

Janine Hansen of the Nevada Eagle Forum supported Washington, saying that even with improvements public schools are failing to give students a quality education.

"Government schools have had a monopoly on education. Choice would provide competition, which would benefit all children," she said. "If we really care about children, we should provide them with the kind of education that works."

State schools chief Mary Peterson opposed the measure, saying it's unconstitutional and doesn't guarantee equity.

"In order to be constitutional, SB385 must clearly state that exempt private schools and religiously based, licensed schools are not eligible to become voucher schools," she said.

Bobbie Gang, representing the Nevada Womens Lobby and the National Association of Social Workers, agreed, saying, "We are concerned that private schools could discriminate against groups of people."

Other opponents of SB385 included school districts from Washoe, Douglas and Clark counties; the American Association of University Women, and the League of Women Voters.