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 9
Norman Mallicoat (Democratic)
Educational vouchers or tax credits that send their children to private schools are nothing more than a tax subsidy to upper middle class and wealthy families that can already afford to send their children to private schools. It would degrade support for the public schools and would be totally unfeasible in a low population density state like Kansas.
Many Kansas counties can support one or two public high schools with good educational programs at most given the relatively low student population. This will only become worse in the future as rural Kansas is depopulating in general. It is highly unlikely that new private schools will be built in a depopulating rural Kansas. I view this as primarily a benefit that only Johnson and Sedgwick county upper middle class and wealthy taxpayers would ever enjoy.
Beverly Gossage (Republican, incumbent)
As a former teacher and district manager for Sylvan Learning Centers, I understand the importance of strong public schools and a student-focused learning environment.
During my four years in Topeka, we fully funded K-12 schools all four years, ending the school finance lawsuits. We also ensured special education received record funding and formed a task force to make sure that number is right in the future.
Finally, we crafted a compromise adjustment to the school finance formula that allows districts with both growing and declining enrollment the flexibility they need to receive the right amount of funding. With eight school districts in District 9, this was an important step I was proud to support and the governor signed into law.
