Earlier this summer, the Post asked our readers what issues you wanted to hear candidates running for De Soto Board of Education to address leading up to the Nov. 4 election.
Based on that feedback, we developed a five-item questionnaire centering the issues most important to the USD 232 community.
Each day this week, we’re publishing the candidates’ responses to one question.
Today, we’re publishing candidates’ responses to the following question:
Voucher efforts: What is your position on state policies that allow tax money to be used to pay for private schools, like tax credits for private school scholarships and tax rebates that go toward private school tuition? As someone who will represent a public school district, will you advocate for or against such policies at the state level?
Below are the answers the Post received from candidates on this issue:
Member 4
Lucy Rumsey DeWitt
90% of children attend public school in America. Public dollars should remain in public schools. Private schools do not have the same oversight that public schools do. They can deny admissions and can hire unqualified teachers. It’s also been shown that the voucher system devastates student learning and discriminates against vulnerable students. Private schools do not have to provide special education services to children. Private school vouchers undermine public schools by diverting desperately needed resources away from the public school system, which accepts all students, to fund the education of a few, select voucher students. USD 232 had to come out of pocket 7 million dollars this year to fund the 92% required by law for special education. That number would only grow with vouchers. Given the fiscal constraints at the federal, state, and local level, we simply cannot afford to fund two different education systems, one public and one private, on our taxpayers’ dime.
Nancy Moneymaker
USD 232 voters, be careful what you wish for! “Vouchers” are government funded to pay tuition at a school of your choice. A form of education reform within the school choice options in many states with a mixed bag of outcomes. Is this a market-based approach or is the government picking winners/losers as displayed in the AZ results. 52% of voucher participants live in the highest income zip codes with wealthier families often benefiting the most (NCLD Report)
Goverment funding leads to unnecessary oversight and mandates for all options including homeschool and micro-school.
Deep dive coming shortly to www.Nancy Moneymaker.com
More government over more school options does not equal better student achievement.
Before contemplating school choice Federal options in vouchers, ESA, or direct federal tax credit (rebate) we should look at options that Kansas and USD 232 already have and analyze results based on STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT.
Kansas specific:
- Tax Credit Low Income Students Scholarship Programs
- Johnson County Community College as an Upper School partner
- Open Enrollment to transfer and attend any Kansas school district
- Nonpublic School Students Participation in KSHSAA Activities
- Virtual Education Program (VEP)
De Soto USD 232 specific:
- Starbase as a Department of Defense youth STEM outreach program
- CPAP at Cedar Trails Exploration Center
- Honor/AP classes
- Career and Technical Education Program (CTE) with Pathways/CAPS classes
- Internships
- Voyagers Program for Gifted
Member 5
Christian Amend
Did not provide the Post with a response.
Calley Malloy (incumbent)
I believe public tax dollars should remain in public schools. Voucher programs divert critical funding away from public education, undermining the quality and accessibility of programs that serve all students. When funding is redirected, it often leads to cuts in essential services, extracurricular activities, and sports programs that enrich student learning and community engagement. Public schools are the foundation of strong communities, offering equal opportunities for every child regardless of background. Supporting them ensures we continue to invest in the success of all students.
Member 6
TJ Finan
No, I do not oppose state policies that allow tax dollars to support private school options such as tax credits for scholarships or tuition rebates. As a taxpayer and parent, I believe families should have the ability to choose the best educational setting for their children, especially when public schools may not meet a student’s individual needs.
Families pay taxes regardless of whether their children attend public or private schools. These parents are contributing to the system, yet they often receive no direct benefit if their children attend private schools. Allowing a portion of tax money to follow the student acknowledges that education is not one-size-fits-all and supports parental choice without placing an extra financial burden on families who are already paying out of pocket for alternatives.
I support strong public schools and believe in continued investment in our district. However, advocating for educational choice does not mean abandoning public education. It means recognizing that all families deserve access to the learning environment that best serves their child. As a representative, I would work to ensure public schools remain well-funded while also supporting policies that give families more flexibility and voice in their children’s education.
Brandi Jonasson (incumbent)
I am wholeheartedly against vouchers. They divert critical public funds away from public schools, which serve the vast majority of our students.
Public dollars should remain within the public education system to ensure that every child, regardless of background, income, or zip code, has access to a high-quality education.
School vouchers lack accountability and transparency. Private institutions receiving these funds are not held to the same academic and financial standards as public schools. This can lead to inequities, with resources being concentrated in selective or higher-income settings rather than improving opportunities for all students.
Instead of funding voucher programs we should focus on strengthening our public schools-investing in teachers, modern facilities, innovative programs, and support services that help every student thrive.
I will advocate against vouchers policies at the state level. Public education is the backbone of strong communities, and preserving its integrity and equity should remain our highest priority.
