Manchester Teacher: I don’t want my tax dollars going to an organization that can discriminate against students

Megan Kilar, a Manchester public school teacher, submitted this letter to the Concord Monitor opposing SB 193, the bill that would create a statewide voucher system:

Senate Bill 193 is a “school choice” program that would take money from public schools and allow parents to use the funds to enroll their students in private schools.

I am a public school teacher in Manchester, and this bill is bad for public education and would take much-needed dollars away from our schools and funnel them into private schools. If this bill passes, our schools that are already strapped for cash will be in even further danger and it will be more difficult to attract highly trained faculty and administrators, provide technology to students, give special education the funds it is entitled to and provide basic classroom supplies.

Private schools may discriminate against students and they are not required to provide special education services the way a public school is. “School choice” doesn’t mean a better education for students. Look at the mess that Michigan is in after its embrace of school choice. SB 193 is not right for New Hampshire’s students. We need to put more money in schools, not take money away. If parents want to send their children to a private school, they are welcome to use their own dollars to do so.

As a taxpayer, I do not want to subsidize any religious education. I do not want my tax dollars going to any organization that forces students to waive their right to special education. I do not want my tax dollars going to an organization that has less strict guidelines on licensing teachers. And most importantly, I do not want my tax dollars going to an organization that is allowed to discriminate against students based on sexuality or gender identity.

Source: Letter: Public schools need more money, not less | Concord Monitor