EDUCATION + SCHOOLS

School choice bill is “limiting” public schools, UEA president says

Jan 26, 2023, 8:30 PM | Updated: Feb 8, 2023, 11:40 am

utah education foundation...

FILE - Utah Education Association has voted unanimously to oppose a ballot measure in November that could change how education is funded.

SALT LAKE CITY — Utah Education Association president Renee Pinkney says the controversial school choice bill is “weakening” and “limiting” public schools.

Pinkney joins Jeff Caplin’s Afternoon News Thursday to discuss why she and the UEA oppose H.B. 215.

“For decades we (UEA) have opposed vouchers on the principle that the money that is being taken out of … the general funds [or] the income tax funds for education … [is] taking scarce resources away from public education and giving it to private schools,” Pinkey says to Caplin. “That is just weakening our public schools as far as the opportunities that our kids have. And, it is limiting what we can do in public schools.”

Pinkney says that even if money is not being taken directly from public schools, the bill still hurts public education.

“It is $42 million that could be going into public education,” she says. “So, they may not be taking [money] right off the top, but those dollars are taxpayer dollars. And, public money should be for public schools, not private schools.”

To fight the bill, UEA is working with people who have experience in trying to prevent a previous voucher bill from 2007, Pinkney says. She says UEA is exploring its options.

“So groups that [were] part of that fight are reaching out with ideas,” she says. “In that exploration, we’ll find out, you know, what opportunities we do have if they’re viable and if … we are going to engage in them.”

Jeff Caplan’s Afternoon News can be heard on weekdays from 3 to 7 p.m.

Related stories

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Send it to the KSL NewsRadio team here.

Education + Schools

The Powder Baby Dry Shampoo team poses with its check after winning the 2024 Utah Entrepreneur Chal...

Logan Stefanich, KSL.COM

BYU student startup wins $30K at Utah Entrepreneur Challenge

BYU entrepreneur Kylee Black, who founded Powder Baby, said the cash prize will be instrumental in advancing her business.

30 minutes ago

Outside of the Yale University Law School is pictured on September 27, 2018 in New Haven, Connectic...

Zenebou Sylla, CNN

Some New England universities, including Yale, break $90,000 barrier for total tuition cost in upcoming school year

(CNN) — Several New England universities and colleges, including Yale, have reached a pinnacle of at least $90,000 for undergraduate tuition and costs starting this fall. Yale University, Tufts University, Boston University (BU), and Wellesley College are among a few private institutions that will top this year’s costs for tuition, housing and other expenses, according to […]

10 hours ago

FILE: Cedar High School in Cedar City is pictured on Wednesday April 7, 2021....

Tammy Kikuchi and Emma Keddington

Cedar High School grapples with mascot name, five years after it was changed

The Iron School District Board of Education is grappling with changing the Cedar High School mascot back from "Reds" to "Redmen." 

11 hours ago

A green and brown sign hangs on a brick wall. It reads "The future of the world is in this classroo...

Mariah Maynes

Study looks into Utah voters’ opinions on curriculum transparency in schools

A Sutherland Institute study found that a majority of Utah voters support curriculum transparency. However, fewer of them support mandating it with legislation. 

18 hours ago

Utah Utes players circle up before the women’s college basketball game against Weber State Univer...

Aimee Cobabe and Emma Keddington

FBI now involved in Utah Women’s Basketball racism investigation

Police in Idaho are working with the FBI to investigate an incident where racial slurs were yelled at the Utah Women's basketball team.

1 day ago

Utah Utes guard Ines Vieira (2) shoots the ball with Colorado Buffaloes guard Frida Formann (3) jum...

MICHELLE BODKIN

Utah women’s basketball team forced to move hotels after racial hate crimes during NCAA Tournament

The NCAA Tournament was supposed to be a fun experience for the University of Utah women's basketball team.

2 days ago

Sponsored Articles

Mother and cute toddler child in a little fancy wooden cottage, reading a book, drinking tea and en...

Visit Bear Lake

How to find the best winter lodging in Bear Lake, Utah

Winter lodging in Bear Lake can be more limited than in the summer, but with some careful planning you can easily book your next winter trip.

Happy family in winter clothing at the ski resort, winter time, watching at mountains in front of t...

Visit Bear Lake

Ski more for less: Affordable ski resorts near Bear Lake, Utah

Plan your perfect ski getaway in Bear Lake this winter, with pristine slopes, affordable tickets, and breathtaking scenery.

front of the Butch Cassidy museum with a man in a cowboy hat standing in the doorway...

Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

Looking Back: The History of Bear Lake

The history of Bear Lake is full of fascinating stories. At over 250,000 years old, the lake has seen generations of people visit its shores.

silhouette of a family looking over a lake with a bird in the top corner flying...

Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

8 Fun Activities To Do in Bear Lake Without Getting in the Water

Bear Lake offers plenty of activities for the whole family to enjoy without having to get in the water. Catch 8 of our favorite activities.

Wellsville Mountains in the spring with a pond in the foreground...

Wasatch Property Management

Advantages of Renting Over Owning a Home

Renting allows you to enjoy luxury amenities and low maintenance without the long-term commitment and responsibilities of owning a home.

Clouds over a red rock vista in Hurricane, Utah...

Wasatch Property Management

Why Southern Utah is a Retirement Paradise

Retirement in southern Utah offers plenty of cultural and recreational opportunities. Find out all that this region has to offer.

School choice bill is “limiting” public schools, UEA president says