House panel expands school vouchers

A bill that would make more students eligible for school vouchers — or public dollars that go to private educational institutions — advanced through committee on Thursday.

The full House could take the bill up as early as Monday.

House Bill 943 would expand the state’s current law that provides up to $6,500 each for special needs students who withdraw from the public school system to attend private and other nonpublic educational institutions.

Should HB943 become law, any public school student whose household income is under roughly $85,000 for a family of four would be eligible for the scholarship.

Depending on their family's income level, students can receive $4,000 or $5,000 per year in public money to put towards a private school of their choice.

Special needs students’ scholarships would remain at $6,500.

Freshman Rep. Joel Bomgar, R-Madison, explained the bill and an amendment he proposed to committee members.

“This extends educational opportunities that were only available to students who could afford to move or attend private school. It provides equal opportunities for the children,” Bomgar said.

But Sam Bounds, executive director of the Mississippi Association of School Superintendents, said vouchers are a “slippery slope.”

“Once you start the voucher process, where does it stop? I do realize some kids need special help, but we’re doing our best in the public schools to serve every special needs kid to the best of our ability as funds allow,” Bounds said.

One percent of the statewide public school enrollment each year, currently just under 5,000 students, would be eligible to apply for the vouchers. That could amount to up to $30 million.

Critics of vouchers say they can drain the public school system of its already scarce resources and that there's no assurance the children receiving the vouchers are getting the services they need outside the public school system.

However, only 107 special needs students applied for reimbursement this school year despite 251 being approved to receive funds under the current law. Lawmakers cited the “slow growth” of that program as evidence that it’s unlikely that many students will apply for the scholarships immediately.

Bounds and state education department officials have recently said that’s because many students who applied for the special needs scholarship can’t find a nearby school that provides the services needed.

In the off chance that more applicants apply than there are scholarships, priority will be given to special needs and low-income students, Bomgar said. Rep. Toby Barker, R-Hattiesburg, also offered an amendment that would add students in C-, D- and F-rated districts to the list of those to receive priority after special needs and low-income students.

Bounds also raised his concern that the bill does not require the same accountability of students’ performance as public schools.

“Any situation set up by the state of Mississippi — those students should stand for the same assessment as students in traditional public schools,” Bounds said.

Bomgar did not respond when asked whether the bill included any requirements for these students to take state assessments, but said the accountability lies with the parents.

“This money is accountable to the parents who decide how they’re spending it,” Bomgar said. “The only sort of accountability that seems to matter is accountability to parents.”

Chairman John Moore, R-Brandon, said this bill is only the "first bite at the apple," and that accountability provisions would be added before it's sent to the governor.

The House’s version of the bill also takes out the requirement that the school where the state funds go be accredited. HB493 only defines eligible schools as "nonpublic" institutions that hold school 180 days a year.

Contact Kate Royals at (601) 360-4619 or kroyals@jackson.gannett.com. Follow @KRRoyals on Twitter.