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School voucher bill targets Minneapolis and St. Paul families
by Tim Pugmire, Minnesota Public Radio
February 4, 2005

Sen. David Hann, R-Eden Prairie, stands with religious educators and students to announce legislation creating private school grants. (MPR Photo/Tim Pugmire)

The school voucher debate could soon heat up in the Minnesota Legislature. Two Republican lawmakers introduced legislation Thursday that would provide state grants to needy families in Minneapolis and St. Paul to send their children to private elementary or secondary schools. Supporters say those families deserve more school choices. But opponents say they don't want public dollars going to non-public schools.

St. Paul, Minn. — Previous attempts to push private school vouchers in Minnesota have met strong resistance. The last big battle was nine years ago, when legislators killed a voucher plan endorsed by then-Gov. Carlson. Another battle might be looming this session. Sen. David Hann, R-Eden Prairie, says he thinks the state is ready to debate the issue once again.

"We've got I think a lot more history and a lot more data of how these programs work, and there's good results," Hann said. "And I think given the changes that the state is facing, the kind of demographic changes, the kind of changes that we're trying to deal with in education, we need to look at all options."

Hann wants to help low-income families in Minneapolis and St. Paul send their children to accredited private or religious schools, if they choose. His bill would provide eligible families with state grants that are equal to the state's basic education funding allocation. Under current law, that's $4,601 per student. Students would still have to gain acceptance to the school they select. Rep. Mark Buesgens, R-Jordan, chairman of the House Education Policy Committee, is sponsoring the House version of the bill. He says all families deserve the same educational options.

"To deny, especially the poorest of the poor in our urban core, the opportunities of the full range of choices and therefore the opportunity to better their lot, simply because of finances, that's absolutely wrong," Buesgens said.

Buesgens is a longtime public school administrator. He says the proposed grant program is not an anti-public school initiative. Senator Hann says it's also not intended as an indictment against the Minneapolis or St. Paul school district.

St. Paul Superintendent Pat Harvey isn't convinced, describing the legislation as "an insult."

"The staff in St. Paul have worked harder than any group of educators I have seen across this country," Harvey said. "And that's what I'm angry about. To send a message that they're not able to do what some others can do is not true."

This is the second proposal unveiled this year aimed at helping low-income students attend private schools. Gov. Pawlenty's budget includes a scholarship fund built on donations from businesses. Companies could earn tax credits for the contributions. The Buesgens and Hann proposal pays the bill with existing state funds.

Sen. Steve Kelley, DFL-Hopkins, chairman of the Senate Education Committee, says he opposes public dollars going to private schools. He also doesn't like private schools getting a pass on accountability. The legislation requires grant recipients to take state tests, but doesn't require the private schools to report the results. Kelley says that's wrong.

"I think that if a school is going to get public dollars, it ought to be subject to the full public accountability system we have, including compliance with our standards and the testing system for all students, and then the reporting on that," Kelley said.

Kelley says his committee will likely hold a hearing on the legislation, but he has not yet made any commitments. Representative Buesgens says his committee will hear the bill sometime in the next month.