Voucher plan is just what schools don’t need now

GOV. MARK SANFORD’S most glaring weakness as a state leader was on display last week as he unveiled an irresponsible voucher plan. Call them what you will, the governor’s desire to give tax credits to private school parents would drain public dollars from schools and other priorities that are woefully underfunded.

These vouchers would further derail sweeping education reform that was moving along fine— until it was hit with $400 million in budget cuts in recent years. Responsible leaders would fill that hole, continuing strides our state has made in providing highly qualified teachers and shoring up classroom instruction.

Who should pay for that important work in every public school classroom? Every South Carolinian should — including those who send their children to private schools, those whose children have graduated and those who have no children, including state businesses. Our public school system must be strong for all of us, not just for those of use who send children to its classrooms every day. That is the most glaring fault in Gov. Sanford’s plan. It ignores the state’s constitutional responsibility to public schools and the state’s commitment to make educators accountable for better performance from all students.

Consider what some of the plan’s supporters have said: Rep. Ben Hagood told The Post and Courier he doesn’t believe private schools that get this money should have to be accredited. That cancels out standards and accountability. There are some outstanding private schools in South Carolina, including Columbia’s own National Blue Ribbon-winning Heathwood Hall Episcopal School. But state dollars would be ill-spent in some private schools.

Consider what Larry Watt of the South Carolina Independent School Association told The State: “We see this as relief for our parents, primarily with no strings attached for our schools. It’s a win-win for us.” Contrast that with what South Carolina Policy Council President Ed McMullen, a voucher proponent, told The Associated Press: “No child should be forced to remain in any school that cannot meet the standards we have set as a state to provide a good education.” This ignores the fact that private schools receiving these state dollars would not be accountable to those state standards.

This bill appears to be more about tax breaks than education. And it is being sold as something that not only won’t take dollars from public schools but will increase per pupil spending after some kids leave. The governor’s numbers put forth to back that assumption are not convincing.

During his time in office, Gov. Sanford has not made the first move toward legitimate and lasting improvements for what should be the state’s top priority, our system of public schools. This is his greatest failing. South Carolina doesn’t have one extra public dollar to give to an unaccountable system that will always leave some children out. Private schools have their place, but not in a system of adequately funded, high-performing public schools. That vision of a top-notch public system remains within South Carolina’s grasp, if it is not snatched away by this sort of ill-begotten grab at public funds.