Arizona board delays vote on ESA handbook outlining program rules
PHOENIX (AZFamily) — The Arizona Board of Education met Monday to consider new rules for Arizona’s school voucher program, which allows parents to use public education money to homeschool students or send them to private schools.
Critics argue the state’s program is paying for unnecessary luxuries with taxpayer dollars and on Monday, the board decided to delay its vote on a proposed handbook that would add limitations. “We have to have reasonable limitations of valid educational purpose and a reasonable price according to market prices,” explained Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne.
With more than 87,000 students enrolled in the program, known as Empowerment Scholarship Account, supporters say clearly outlined guidelines would ensure the program’s sustainability. “We want this program to be successful,” expressed Rev. Janelle Woods, who is among ESA account holders and parents who created the proposed handbook. “We wanted to make sure that parents understood what they could be reimbursed for.”
Among the new guidelines is a $4,000 limit on music instruments every three years per ESA student and $2,000 for computers or laptops every two years.
Save Our Schools director Beth Lewis shared her skepticism about this proposal. “It’s sort of ridiculous standards, like things like $3,000 in musical instruments and $2,500 for playground equipment, which you know are not accessible to most public schools, which are struggling to afford basics,” she shared.
The new handbook also proposes automatically reimbursing parents up to $2,000 using a “risk-based audit method.” If it was later found that an expense was not allowed, the group offered a solution. “We would request that the superintendent’s office look to take that money out of the future disbursement versus asking for a refund,” said Woods.
Lewis expressed that she felt the proposal lacked efficiency. “Just approve anything at $2,000 and if you mess up, we’ll just take it out of your next installment. Just seems to be like a really bad way to oversee public dollars,” explained Lewis.
The board has until May 1 to make its final decision.
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