Post by title1parent on Jun 27, 2009 7:01:15 GMT -5
www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=303076&src=
School choice needed in Illinois
Letter to the Editor DH
Published: 6/27/2009
The Illinois School Funding Reform Act
Part I
Each school district, by voter referendums, would replace the local school district real estate tax with a local sales tax. The rate would be determined by the district's voters. bond issues would still be subject to referendums.
A school sale tax would have the advantage of being spread over a much larger number of people than just homeowners. On the street in South Elgin where my brother lives, three lost their homes because they could no longer afford the taxes on their homes. Also, because the tax would be spread across many items in small amounts people would avoid a crushing bill every six months. Ironically this would increase the chances that bond issues would be approved.
Part II
Over a four-year period the entire Illinois state budget for primary and secondary education would be converted into a system of scholarship grants. They would go to all parents of school age children. They could use the grants at any fully accredited school, either government or independent.
The parents who are satisfied with the performances and quality of the local public schools will simply continue to send their children to the public school and turn in their grants. Where the government schools are failing, or engaging in questionable practices, they could pull their children out and take their money with to an independent school. And as for those who are already sending their children to independent schools, they have been paying taxes to the government school system. I think it is time they get their share of the tax money back. This is all about choice, accountability, empowerment, and fairness. Ironically, this plan would reduce the attempts to reintroduce religious instruction in government schools. For the record I was raised a Methodist and I went to public schools all through to junior college.
John Shelton
Hoffman Estates
School choice needed in Illinois
Letter to the Editor DH
Published: 6/27/2009
The Illinois School Funding Reform Act
Part I
Each school district, by voter referendums, would replace the local school district real estate tax with a local sales tax. The rate would be determined by the district's voters. bond issues would still be subject to referendums.
A school sale tax would have the advantage of being spread over a much larger number of people than just homeowners. On the street in South Elgin where my brother lives, three lost their homes because they could no longer afford the taxes on their homes. Also, because the tax would be spread across many items in small amounts people would avoid a crushing bill every six months. Ironically this would increase the chances that bond issues would be approved.
Part II
Over a four-year period the entire Illinois state budget for primary and secondary education would be converted into a system of scholarship grants. They would go to all parents of school age children. They could use the grants at any fully accredited school, either government or independent.
The parents who are satisfied with the performances and quality of the local public schools will simply continue to send their children to the public school and turn in their grants. Where the government schools are failing, or engaging in questionable practices, they could pull their children out and take their money with to an independent school. And as for those who are already sending their children to independent schools, they have been paying taxes to the government school system. I think it is time they get their share of the tax money back. This is all about choice, accountability, empowerment, and fairness. Ironically, this plan would reduce the attempts to reintroduce religious instruction in government schools. For the record I was raised a Methodist and I went to public schools all through to junior college.
John Shelton
Hoffman Estates