School vouchers, commonly referred to as education savings accounts (ESAs) or school choice, allow families to use public funds to pay for private school tuition. In Texas, voucher proposals would give most families access to these funds. 

However, it is important to note there is a difference between a school voucher and ESA. ESAs are solely for private school tuition and allow families to customize their child’s education through the allocation of funds for multiple purposes. Vouchers on the other hand, redirect public education funds to pay for tuition at private schools.

My stance on vouchers: As a Board of Trustee, I am not in support of school vouchers because these school vouchers or commonly referred to “education savings accounts” (ESAs), redirect hard earned taxpayer dollars away from local public schools, like Allen ISD to private schools that are not held to the same rigorous academic standards. These programs often appear to provide a better education for our students but do more harm than good.

Private schools lack the specialized professionals and resources that Allen or any public school can provide for students with special needs and learning disabilities. Sadly, too many of these private schools see students leaving to head back to their neighborhood public schools after learning it wasn’t a good fit. Another important fact to consider is that vouchers come with no transparency or accountability in how funds are spent, making them highly subject to fraud.

Ultimately, voucher schemes deepen inequities within our education system and disproportionately harm our most vulnerable students. I strongly oppose all attempts to deter public school funding, no matter how branded or marketed. I will stand firmly against any legislation that undermines public education.