As a public school teacher, I am very aware of the underfunding in education and am deeply concerned about the proposed H2625 and S1506 regarding private school vouchers. Private schools are just that — private.

The parental choice grant program is a voucher program that will do great harm to public schools and Arizona’s tax base, and would be a direct assault on Arizona’s Constitution. Two articles in our state Constitution prohibit tax dollars or state property from being used for religious or private instruction. Most notably, Article 9, Section 10 states: “No tax shall be laid or appropriation of public money made in aid of any church, or private or sectarian school or any public service corporation.”

As a taxpayer and public education supporter, I oppose all funding schemes – including vouchers or tuition tax credits — that use tax monies to subsidize private and religious schools. I believe these programs undermine public education, reduce the support needed to fund public education adequately, weaken the wall of separation between church and state, and cause racial, economic and social segregation of students.

I strongly oppose private school vouchers. Please continue your support for public schools.

Melissa Kuhlman, Phoenix