Today, we’re publishing candidates’ responses to the following question:
Kansas lawmakers in recent years have passed legislation that allows for open enrollment in public schools, as well as pushed measures that would expand a system of tax credits for families who send their children to private schools. Supporters of such moves say they give more freedom to families in making decisions about their child’s education. Opponents see them as threats that place new and unfair burdens on public schools. Where do you stand on such measures? Do you support moves like open enrollment and school vouchers? Why or why not?
Below are the answers the Post received from candidates on the issue:
District 6
Pat Pettey (Democratic, incumbent)
The Kansas constitution requires that the state provide public education for all. I believe that this is what our publicly elected school board members across the state work hard to do every day. Unfortunately, many Republican legislators continue to want to infringe on the job of school boards and the elected state board of education.
The open enrollment legislation is another move to do just that . Parents could already enroll in another public school district if they wanted to. Now school districts must do and annual inventory of slots available, which in large districts is costly, they must have a lottery for these slots .
I am certain that there will be legislation in 2025 to put greater demands on districts with open enrollment. Remember these open enrollment students don’t pay property taxes where they are educated.The tax credit legislation is a form of vouchers and all of these are couched as parental choice. Education has three components; the child, the teacher and the parent. This should be a partnership but instead the education piece is secondary .
I have had legislators tell me they are saving the children I represent and yet they have never visited a school and no nothing about what is being taught. I do not support vouchers, in any form. Our public $$ need to support public education that has high standards and that report to the legislature every year.
Tabitha Burt (Republican)
Did not provide the Post with a response.
