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House advances HB 2119 to final action, which could happen later today or tomorrow


Posted Date: 03/30/2021

House advances HB 2119 to final action, which could happen later today or tomorrow

The House on Tuesday advanced to final action a bill that would allow the use of public tax dollars to send students to private schools. The measure — HB 2119 — moved on a voice vote; a recorded roll call vote is expected either later today or Wednesday. KASB and numerous education and parent groups urge education advocates to contact their House members and encourage them to vote “No.”

Under the bill, if public school students use public funds to transfer to private schools, it reduces funding for public schools. School leaders fear the proposal would lead to a two-tier system because private schools can select which students they want to educate.

For more information on this bill and how to contact legislators, please go to this link.

House K-12 Education Chairwoman Kristey Williams, R-Augusta, said the bill was needed to give all children “freedom” to succeed, whether in public or private school. “Educate students, not systems,” she said.

But Rep. Valdenia Winn, the ranking Democrat on the K-12 committee and a member of the Kansas City USD 500 school board, said “Diverting public taxpayer dollars to private schools doesn’t seem like freedom and opportunity to me.” Winn added, “Private schools can discriminate against any student they want. That’s not OK by me."

Several amendments offered by Republicans were approved by voice vote. KASB was working on analyzing what the amendments would do.

Rep. Shannon Francis, R-Liberal, put on an amendment that appeared to give the State Board of Education the ability to waive remote learning restrictions in the bill during emergencies.

Rep. Steve Huebert, R-Valley Center, added an amendment that he said changed which students would be eligible for the so-called education savings accounts. As brought to the House floor, those students receiving free or reduced lunch were eligible; Huebert said his amendment would change that to students who are at risk of failing.

Rep. Adam Smith, R-Weskan, added an amendment that he said would require private schools receiving vouchers to be accredited. It was unclear if that meant they would have to be accredited by the state or by private accrediting agencies.