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 7
Dave Dannov (Republican)
I do not believe that either open enrollment or school vouchers are in the best interest of Kansas school districts. School districts are inherently local and should serve the interests of the children and residents in that local community.
Public schools are of value to the entire community, not only those with children in school. Thus, no resources should be diverted to private schools or additional administrative costs incurred to manage open enrollment transfers.
Ethan Corson (Democratic, incumbent)
I’m a proud graduate of the Shawnee Mission School District and our two boys will be the next generation of Shawnee Mission students. As a legislator, I believe one of my most important responsibilities is making sure that our public school students have the resources they need to reach their full potential.
I’m honored to have received the endorsement of every single pro-public education organization that has endorsed in our race, including Game On for Kansas Schools, Education First Shawnee Mission, the Kansas National Education Association, and the American Federation of Teachers – Kansas.
I opposed the open enrollment legislation because it trampled on the ability of our locally elected school boards across the state to come up with policies that make sense for their particular district.
I have consistently opposed school vouchers because the overwhelming majority of my constituents have made it clear to me that when they pay taxes to the state of Kansas, they expect those funds to be used for public schools, where over 90% of Kansas kids are enrolled, and not funneled to private schools, many of which are in Missouri. Additionally, school vouchers bring with them a host of other concerns, including that private schools are not subject to the same accountability measures as public schools, are not required to serve all students, are not available in many parts of the state (60 of our 105 counties don’t have an accredited private school), and raise issues with the separation of Church and State.
