Finances of tuition credits argued

The State Office of Education's analysis, however, shows the bill would cost $6.4 million but save $7 million next fiscal year, state associate superintendent Patrick Ogden said. Add to the mix the $1.5 million the state would spend in the "bail out" fund, the bill would result in a $900,000 loss.

The second year, the net loss would rise to $11.7 million, "with losses continuing to mount each year thereafter," Ogden's office estimates.

Ogden also believes the bill is fraught with loopholes for abuse by home schools and people diverting their tax credits to others.

"On top of that, if there are any savings, there's no guarantee public education would get any of them," Ogden said.

The State Office of Education's analysis used an average private school tuition of $6,250, savings of $2,544 per student switching to private schools and national average demand for private schools to determine how many would switch from public to private schools.

Ferrin calls the fiscal note "a model of assumptions, not a crystal ball look into the future."

Still, supporters believe legislators will like what they see in the bill.

"We're confident that this is a successful policy," Peterson said.

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