By Kevin Lee Wisconsin Reporter
MADISON — To expand or not to expand — that is the question facing lawmakers as a proposal to lift a cap on the Milwaukee Parental Choice Program works its way through the House.
Lawmakers discussed expanding school choices for poorer Milwaukee families during an Assembly Education Committee that continued into Tuesday night.
Legislation proposed by state Rep. Mark Honadel, R-South Milwaukee, would eliminate the student cap on the Milwaukee Parental Choice Program and allow students to enroll in private schools in Milwaukee County.
“There’s no rationale for limiting the number of students in the program to 22,500,” Honadel said. “By removing this cap we can ensure that our schools can feel secure in making long-term investments in programs.”
But state Rep. Sondy Pope-Roberts, D-Middleton, said expansion would take resources away from Milwaukee Public Schools.
“I’ve seen nothing from the voucher program that convinces me it does any better than MPS,” she said. “What it does do is take money from MPS and raises property taxes. My fear is that it is the path to privatizing education in Wisconsin.”
The legislation outlines the ongoing educational debate lawmakers are sure to continue as lawmakers tackle the upcoming biennial budget — how to best educate the greatest number of students with the lowest burden to taxpayers.
As of now, state law limits the choice program to 22,500 students to attend private schools in the city of Milwaukee. This school year, 20,300 students are enrolled in the voucher program.
Private school administrators say that expansion is warranted because private schools provide a quality education and a safe environment at a fraction of the cost.
