A coalition of public education groups Thursday declared war on a movement within the Legislature to give tax breaks to parents who home school their children or send them to private or religious schools.

The organizations are mobilizing for a fight in the 2005 General Assembly session to derail legislation they insist will divert money from public schools to “a voucher in disguise.”

“Private and home schools have their purpose, and no one should take away a parent’s right to choose them,” said Chuck Saylors of Greenville, president of the state PTA. “The fight is about keeping public money in public schools.”

Saylors and others at the event attended by 75 education group members warned that out-of-state organizations will pressure lawmakers next year to create tax credits tied to family income.

The idea, which surfaced in 2004 but stalled in committee, has Gov. Mark Sanford’s backing. Sanford spokesman Will Folks said Sanford remains committed to creating tax credits as an option for low-income and middle-class parents when deciding which schools their children should attend.

Among those worried about the impact of tax credits on public schools was Bea Rivers of Summerton. Her parents signed a petition in Clarendon County more than 50 years ago that led to integration of the nation’s schools in the Brown v. Board of Education (of Topeka, Kansas), a landmark U.S. Supreme Court decision.

“There are those in power in our state who want to change the focus from improving educational opportunity for all children in public schools to subsidizing more opportunity for a select few in private schools — once again increasing the divide between those who have and those who have not,” Rivers said. “Tuition tax credits — vouchers — send the wrong message by our leaders to abandon our public schools.”

Larry Watt, director of the S.C. Independent Schools Association, said his 100-member organization has not taken a formal position on the tax credit proposal.

“I have not found too many people in independent education circles who are against the idea of giving tax credits,” he said, adding, “we don’t want direct state aid going to an independent school.”

The coalition of teachers, parents, administrators, school boards and related groups is mobilizing a post card campaign to round up 100,000 signatures declaring opposition to tax credits.

Tom Swatzel, president of S.C. for Responsible Government, said in a written statement “Put Parents in Charge is a reasonable reform that will place more direct control in the hands of parents and the community.” He called the coalition’s view “expected, but sadly predictable.”

Reach Robinson at (803) 771-8482 or brobinson@thestate.com.