Tuition vouchers must wait until '05

She wanted lawmakers meeting in special session next week to consider her plan to let the money help autistic or emotionally disabled children wanting to go to Woodland Hills in Murray or the Pingree school. Parents would get up to $4,400. The funds would flow to the private schools through state school board contracts. The task force would oversee the program.

Walker said she called all 104 legislators and sold enough on the idea to get it passed at Wednesday's special session.

But she said she couldn't get support from Stephens or HB115's co-sponsor, Rep. Merlynn Newbold, R-South Jordan, who plans to carry a similar bill in 2005.

"The bill was never intended to benefit just one institution or one particular group of kids," Newbold said. "It was meant for every child. I think we need to maintain the integrity of the bill and take care of anyone who needs that help."

Bill advocates say they pitched an alternative solution.

HB115 included $100,000 to have the state school board oversee the program. Walker worried about the constitutionality of having state school funds used to oversee private industry. Stephens said he offered to find general fund money instead, but Walker wasn't interested.

Walker does not recall the suggestion, spokeswoman Amanda Covington said.

"That was a simple solution that would have gotten the money to parents and . . . solved the problem that she said that she had," Stephens said. "But that's not what this is about. This is about school choice and parental choice and she doesn't want parents to have choice. . . . (She) vetoed the bill. She's the one who killed the funding for the parents."

Both sides agreed the matter will be taken up in the January general session, with the money to be made available this school year. Problem is, parents at Pingree begin paying tuition the April before school starts. The money would come too late for them.

Meanwhile, Pingree parents such as Laura Anderson are hopeful. She is grateful Walker met with them. She's glad leaders are talking about ways to help give their kids an education that fits their needs. And at this point, she's flexible.

"I would be OK with (Walker's) plan. I would be OK with the Carson Smith bill going through the Legislature, and I would be OK with the school boards taking it upon themselves (to contract with private schools)," Anderson said. "I'm at the point now where I need the assistance, and in the most effective means possible."

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E-mail: jtcook@desnews.com