Scott Matheson Jr.'s response to Deseret Morning News questionnaire

A. Support Charter Schools — Charter schools offer exciting opportunities for flexibility and choice in the public school system. They also encourage parent involvement and experimentation. Utah has taken an appropriately prudent approach to establishing charter schools. As we continue to explore more charter options, we need to ensure that charter schools are accessible to students and meet the same accountability standards as our traditional public schools, including teacher certification. We also need to be assured that each charter school is financially sound and does not deplete funding from the school district in which it is located. Finally, the new Charter School Board charged with oversight of charter schools should be asked to monitor and evaluate progress in our charter school programs and to share information that would improve all public schools.

B. Encourage School Choice — Where population levels allow, many students already take advantage of school choice within and between school districts. For example, one out of five students in the Salt Lake City District and one out of eight in the Granite District have chosen to attend a school outside of their neighborhoods. We should encourage a broader range of classroom experiences within schools and among schools, making school choice even more meaningful. We should support efforts to provide parents and students with flexibility and the information to make good school choice decisions.

C. Oppose Tuition Tax Credits/Vouchers — A program providing tuition tax credits or vouchers for parents who send their children to non-public schools would take Utah in the wrong direction. Over 95 percent of Utah children attend public schools. Our public education system is open to exciting new reforms, the flexibility and new ideas of charter schools, and furthering the state's tradition of quality. It also is under financial stress and in need of a statewide reaffirmation of commitment to public education. I am concerned that tuition tax credits will be ineffective in improving education in general, will take resources from the public system, and will send the wrong message to the vast majority of parents who are counting on the public schools to serve their children.

To view my comprehensive plan on Utah's education system, entitled "We Can Do Better: A Pledge to Education," please visit my Web site at www.mathesonforgovernor.com.

9. How can Utah prepare for 145,000 new public education students entering schools over the next decade? Be specific. Should the Legislature give local school districts more flexibility in assessing their own taxes? Should we just gut out the influx, counting on dropping student numbers in years ahead?