Study Shows Taxpayers "Subsidize a Subsidy" Overpaying Tuition at Voucher Schools
A new study
showing the state overpaid Milwaukee’s private school voucher schools
by millions of dollars adds to the mounting evidence that the voucher
program is an unfair burden upon taxpayers and does not accomplish its
goals, according to the president of the Wisconsin Education Association
Council.
| WEAC President
Terry Craney |
“The People for the American Way Foundation
found that a flaw in the voucher law has created a loophole through which
an extra $11 million in tax dollars flowed to schools participating in
the private school voucher program in the 1998-1999 school year,”
WEAC President Terry Craney said.
“At a time when public school districts throughout
the state and Milwaukee are struggling with budget deficits, it makes
no sense for additional money to go to non-public schools.”
The foundation’s analysis found that on average,
the state paid voucher schools up to 40% more than the actual tuition
charged by the participating schools. It blamed the voucher law, which
bases payments to voucher schools upon a per-student level, and not the
actual tuition a school charges. In 1998-1999, the state paid $4,894 for
each student participating in the voucher program.
“Wisconsin taxpayers are in effect subsidizing
a subsidy,” Craney said. “We are especially concerned that some
of the alleged ‘extra costs’ above the standard tuition rates
are subsidizing religious activities. Voucher schools are already siphoning
funds away from public schools throughout the state. The Legislature should
step in and eliminate the entire program. There is no evidence that voucher
students are receiving a better education than public school students, which
was one of the justifications for creating this program in the first place.
It is time to re-focus on public schools and ensure that every child in
Wisconsin attends a great school.”
Posted August 9, 2000