Tepper: School vouchers could do real harm to TXHSFB

[IndianFan]

Tepper: School vouchers could do real harm to TXHSFB

How Texas’ proposed school voucher program could affect the Friday night lights that bring our communities together.

www.texasfootball.com

 

[IndianFan]

https://www.thsca.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/THSCA-SB-2.pdf

The Texas Senate has passed voucher legislation numerous times and is expected to do so again on Wednesday. Texas school districts are facing significant financial challenges, and SB 2 does nothing to address those needs. Contact your Senator and voice your opposition to SB 2 and express that meaningful funding increases for all public-school students should be the first priority before approving costly private school subsidies.

 

[IndianFan]

This made it to Abbott’s desk for signing into law. His political objectives have been accomplished. Not as much upside to this as marketed. Those that can’t afford private schools still won’t afford them. (The cost is more than tuition not to mention the issue of transportation.) Private schools will still be selective on admissions. Quality of education will still need to be proven. And finally, each head count taken from a public school harms that public school. Especially given that the state has barely increased funding in years and most districts have had to slash headcount and programs. The proposed $300+ per student annual increase is a drop in the bucket. Biggest winners are those families that already can afford private private schools with an extra $10K in their pockets. This scheme has not fared well in other states. But this will not be placed in front of Texas voters to decide. That was blocked and Abbott will decide.

I’m a conservative Republican. But extremism on either side is not good for the public. The witch hunt against public education has crossed the line. Common sense has lost and public education will continue to pay that price.