Deseret News | Reader comments: Are private schools too far away for most rural Utahns?

Reader comments
Are private schools too far away for most rural Utahns?

Chuck | 7:57 a.m. Oct. 30, 2007

That's just it. This voucher push has NOTHING to do with kids, and what's best for them. It is all about using Utah to establish a beach head in their war to replace public schools with privatization. The voucher folks are promising EVERYTHING and anything IF YOU'LL JUST VOTE FOR IT! They don't care whether it will happen or not.

incorrect data | 8:45 a.m. Oct. 30, 2007

I typed in my address to see if the private school my children attend would be displayed but it reffered me to a school that is twice as far away. I live in Brigham City and over and over I have heard there are no private schools here but there are. The misinformation from Utahns for Public Schools is amazing, don't they think the truth is enough to beat the referendum?

I want my share! | 9:08 a.m. Oct. 30, 2007

I am from rural Utah and I KNOW there are no private schools within this area of the state. So I am asking for my SHARE of voucher dollars to go to my local district to boost programs, courses and resources. My child deserves the same opportunity as your children on the wasatch front are going to have if the voucher passes. Remember its about parents have a CHOICE so I want my CHOICE to be dollars to my local district!

Comments continue below

re: incorrect data | 9:08 a.m. Oct. 30, 2007

What school do your kids attend? I am against vouchers, but I don't doubt that there's a mistake (intentional or otherwise) in the map.

I will assume the best and send them an email alerting them to the oversight.

kcatch9 | 9:37 a.m. Oct. 30, 2007

I have to say that I have trouble with the pro-voucher people. Their arguments all seem to be "we are entirely optimistic that..."

I like the optimism, but I just don't see how we can afford to go through with something based on optimism that goes against many theoretical studies that tend to show opposition to their optimism.

The anti-voucher folks seem to have more of a realistic perspective. They seem to be agreeing with the arguments that there are problems and change needs to be made, they just don't see that the current bill is the solution that it is claimed to be by legislators and pro-voucher groups.

I'm just not as optimistic I guess. Especially when the risk directly affects (in my view negatively) as many Utah families as it does.

Heidi | 11:05 a.m. Oct. 30, 2007

I've begun to do research about the closest private schools to us (Taylorsville), it seems that most of the private schools are on the east side. Which is closer than the 200 miles for rural families. But perhaps more private schools will start up and we'll have some healthy competition.

Anonymous | 11:13 a.m. Oct. 30, 2007

for all the people who are afraid of vouchers just let it go for the people who want them. Because I don't hear anyone who has 5,6, or more kids asking for a head tax to send all of your kids to school on the same taxes being paid for by a family that just has 1 kid.Just think how much more money the public school system would have if that were the case, especially in Utah. And no I don't have any kids.

Bountiful Bob | 11:22 a.m. Oct. 30, 2007

Vote against a "Big City Subsidy" Vote against Referendum 1.

Bountiful Bob | 11:26 a.m. Oct. 30, 2007

So it's up to the government to help "Private Academies" start up, and start doing business in rural Utah.

So much for the free market.

Dan | 1:13 p.m. Oct. 30, 2007

If thousands of dollars are saved in the statewide Education fund for each kid taking a voucher on the Wasatch Front, doesn't that mean public schools in rural Utah benefit when Salt Lake kids take vouchers? Seems like a win for rural families as well.

Dale | 1:50 p.m. Oct. 30, 2007

Just one more in the long list of reasons to vote NO!

Steve | 3:19 p.m. Oct. 30, 2007

I love the half truths. I entered my address and it said the nearest school (1 only) was 5.5 miles from Salt Lake, (where I live!) What a load of rubbish!! I have been undecided on school vouchers up to this point. However, I think that this misinformation has helped my decision process!!

Shame on the utahnsforpublicschools website for providing obvious half truths!!

Charles H | 5:59 p.m. Oct. 30, 2007

It is true that many rural areas do not have access to private schools. Many of them also do not have access to AP classes, to concurrent enrollment, nor to the kinds of sports teams that catch the eye of college recruiters.

Shall we shut down AP classes, concurrent enrollment, and other urban programs simply because rural areas lack the population base to support those programs?

I grew up in rural Utah and am far more sensitive to issues that would harm that lifestyle than almost any of these big city unionists.

But I also recognize that something like 85%+ of our population now live in urban and suburban areas. Vouchers may not help rural kids. But allowing urban and suburban kids to use vouchers certainly won't hurt rural students in any way.

There is a LOT of difference between not helping the small number of kids who enjoy numerous other advantages of rural living and actually harming those kids. I'd never support something I thought would harm them. I am supporting vouchers.

Anonymous | 7:07 p.m. Oct. 30, 2007

I typed my address in, and was told the nearest school was 1 mmile away. The site gave crazy instructions on how to find it. It really is only four or five blocks away, and very easy to find.
So much for the map.

You're kidding right? | 7:28 p.m. Oct. 30, 2007

Steve,
You've got to be kidding, you were really undecided on school vouchers and the thing that tipped the scale was whether a website had the correct private schools listed nearby? Try following the money and funding, at least that gives you more credibility!

Steven Jarvis | 7:49 p.m. Oct. 30, 2007

Dan,

Vouchers are a lose-lose. Well unless you are a school developer or a Private school organization, then it can be a win-lose situation. You see, the way we fund education is based on enrollment. No child enrolled, no money is allocated by the State or US. Public schools do not have enough resources to meet the needs of its students as it is because the legislature has been for over a decade cutting the percentage of funding to public ed. at the same time the student population was growing. Vouchers take away funds simply with the absence of the child from the system.

This would not be a problem if all children cost the same to educate. But those with special needs will not be serviced with vouchers and they happen to cost the state the most to educate. If we take 2,000 fully functional kids out of the system with all the state and federal money with it, that means less money for everyone left in the system.

HELP | 10:29 p.m. Oct. 30, 2007

Can anyone tell me the name of a private school that will enroll my autistic, adhd, child who is struggling with bipolar depression. Yes he is enrolled in special education, but from what it sounds, the private system could serve him better. Do they also offer speech and occupational therapy? I am willing to get a second job to fund my child's education, but am a little worried about the time commitment. Right now, my child picked up at my home by the bus. Is this service provided with private school? Please let me know.

Let the Facts Speak | 3:41 p.m. Oct. 31, 2007

"For each year a school district retains in enrollment transferred scholarship students as provided in this section, the board shall deduct from minimum school program funds distributed to the school district an amount equal to the number of transferred scholarship students retained in enrollment times...." And I thought they weren't taking dollars from our districts? Is this not taking dollars from districts???? hummmmmm

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Are private schools too far away for most rural Utahns?