The League of Women Voters of Greater Tucson, in conjunction with the Metropolitan Education Commission and Voices for Education, will host a community forum to discuss education vouchers. The state legislature has passed legislation expanding the voucher program, called “Empowerment Scholarship Accounts”, to every student in the state.
A petition drive to challenge the law was successful and the program will be put to a vote of the people, assuming it survives legal challenges.
The forum will be held on Saturday, October 21st, at the Joel Valdez Library in downtown Tucson. Refreshments will be served at 9:30 a.m. and the meeting will begin at 10 a.m. and conclude by noon.
Chris Kotterman from the Arizona School Board Association will review the history of educational vouchers in Arizona. Paul Parisi of 4 Tucson will share the benefits of vouchers. AZ State Representative Todd Clodfelter (R-District 10, Tucson) will speak about who decides on vouchers. And, Ricky Hernandez, State Board President, Arizona Association of School Business Officers will review the cost of the “Empowerment Scholarship Accounts”.
Members of the audience will be able to ask questions of the presenters.
The program is free and open to the Public and Media. It will take place at the Joel D. Valdez Main Library, 101 N. Stone Avenue, Tucson in the Lower Level 1 Meeting Room, October 21st, 10: 00 a.m. to Noon. Free parking is available in the library’s underground garage with an entrance on Alameda.