FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Press Contact:
Leah Barker
755-7292
Over 4,000 Parents Seeking School Choice
Parents to Birmingham, State Board of Education:
Implement Voucher Program Now
Salt Lake City, UT — May 18, 2007 — This morning at 10:30 a.m., Utah parents hand delivered to the state Board of Education and its chairman, Kim Burningham the names of over 4,000 parents eager to participate in the state’s new voucher program. The parents requested a meeting with Burningham to personally deliver the names of parents who need access to a quality education.
“Kim Burningham is leading the campaign against vouchers while he is also charged by law with implementing vouchers,” said Rachel Ringwood, who is hoping for a voucher for her 2 daughters. “It’s a huge conflict of interest. The Board is supposed to represent Utah parents and their children, but they are working against parents like me who only want what’s best for their children. It’s time to stop playing politics with our children’s futures.”
Karina Pareja broke down in tears pleading with Mr. Burningham. “I just want the opportunity to choose the best school for my children. The only way I can do that is through the vouchers. I am a single mother with a disability and only able to work part time. The most important thing I will offer my children is a quality education “
The Board has delayed the voucher law, despite a letter from Attorney General Mark Shurtleff and a two-month-old legal opinion directing the Board to start the program now. Burningham, who is also a vocal leader of the anti-school choice referendum effort, said of the letter, “I don’t take it as an order. That’s his opinion.”
But in his letter, the Attorney General said school choice is the law: “I am confident that the message you, the Board and the State Office of Education want to send to the school children you serve, is one of obedience to the law first and foremost; and that if you disagree with the law, you work within the law to change it.”
Photos available at this site:
http://www.choiceineducation.org/PressConferencePhotos.php
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