The Only Reason Someone Would Say BYU Is Better Than Others Is Because They Either Went There Or Are In The Same Religous Clique As People Who Attend BYU. By Placing Some Of The Comments That Have Been Placed By Some Of These People They Are Demeaning Other Schools When Most Only Know A Small Portion Of All The Schools In Their Surrounding Areas.

How about because vouchers violate the US and Utah constitutions! Article X Section 9 of the Utah Constitution clearly states 'Neither the state of Utah nor its political subdivisions may make any appropriation for the direct support of any school or educational institution controlled by any religious organization.'

Or how about Article X Section 5.d 'The State School Fund shall be guaranteed by the state against loss or diversion.' Vouchers are a diversion of public school funds to religious schools. 90% of all private schools are religious. Sorry folks, it's unconstitutional and I haven't even had to bring up the 1st Amendment of the US Constitution.

I'm not sure I've ever seen such a one-sided push for opinion. Even when it's being published in the Deseret News.

Hopefully anyone reading this "article" will see how blatantly pro-voucher it is. Incredible.

I'd also like to point that it's clear to me the people who took this well documented survey were definitely of a high education caliber themselves. Short of "I dun understandded it so i dun wan' vote for it", I'm not really sure either side could've been more poorly represented.

If this is truely an accurate representation of the comments made by those polled, then it is very sad. But, knowing how news media like to sensationalize things, it should not be the least surprising if DNM sorted out some of the worst. Unless the intent is to mislead the reader, the article should state if it is typical or exceptions.

Still, voters should be making a decision on the issue based upon facts, rather than a bunch of speculation and gut feelings. No matter what side you are on, just bring the facts to the table. Make an educated decision.

The commercials on television are trying to convince me that vouchers are bad and the money can be used by public schools to help reduce class sizes. If that's the case, why haven't they been able to do that so far? The public schools have the money now and the class sizes are still too large. What makes me think that the class sizes will be reduced if they keep the money.
I'm tired of teachers complaining about everything - especially pay. Didn't they know before they went to college for this profession that teachers in Utah aren't paid well? Work 9 months a year, Christmas holiday, state and federal holidays, PA days, cheap benefits, great pension, start at 8am finish at 3pm - gee, what a tough job. I don't know about any other parents out there, but it seems that I'm spending more and more time in the evenings teaching my children things they should have learned in class.
HEY TEACHERS! YOU'RE GETTING PAID MORE THAN YOU'RE WORTH! Next year, my child will be going to a private school where teachers will actually have some accountability.

I don't understand either. Why are we even voting on this issue? I am furious over the fact that our beloved Governor actually signed this bill in the first place. Is he so out of touch with the general population of this state that he thinks this would be "good for utah families"? Why don't we take that extra $3000 that he would go willing give to the families for voucher, and put it towards public education? Why don't we hire some teachers who actually care whether our students fail or succeed? These types of teachers are few and far between.
Why don't we give the families of Utah the extra $3000 per child regardless of what school they choose to attend? I know, and this is the best idea ever, let's give the money to REAL soccer, another of the Govs ingenious plans?
I mean honestly, if your kid goes to private school but you need tax payer dollars for your kid to go to private school, you need to re-evalulate your priorities. My kids don't go to private school, but they sure could if someone else would foot the bill. Come on people let's get a clue!!

The comment from the person who thinks they have the better "values" pretty much sums up the debate. There are those in society that always think they are better thans others and can manipulate the laws to fit their desires, like Paris Hilton. Public tax money should not be used to help fund schooling for the few that can afford private schools. The money should be used for all the public good not those who foolishly look down on others.

EarlJM

Apparently you know nothing about the life of a teacher. Teachers do NOT work 8-3 5 days a week. Try more like 7:30-5 5 days a week plus work that is taken home to grade at night or over the weekend. And afterschool activities & parent teacher conference. Time is spent preparing lessons, setting up classrooms and buying supplies (generally with money out of our own pocket) not during the school day. Most teachers do not get the summer off like the kids- they work a second job to make ends meet. Cheap benefits & great pension?? I don't know where you get your info but you are wrong! Not to mention that kids now days can be disrepectful, abusive, even dangerous to teach (heard of Columbine?). And as far as why did we go to college to teach knowing Utah pays so little? Because it is our "calling", we love to teach, Utah is our home, if we didn't who would teach YOUR kids Mr. McGee? So lay off the teachers. Show them some appreciation and I bet your kids will get a better education for it.