Central Kansas Christian Academy celebrated National School Choice week Jan. 26-31. They organized awareness activities during the week including explaining school choice, sharing video clips, bracelets and stickers, and yellow and red dress days. Individuals even attended a School Choice Rally and hearing of Senate Bill 75 in Topeka on Tuesday, Jan. 28.
“It was exciting to attend the School Choice Rally and be a part of this national movement with over 1,000 Kansans participating,” Sherry Pruter, CKCA administrator, said. “And to feel the unity with other educators and parents in the state who are advocating for their educational tax dollars to be used for their own children’s educational choice.”
Along with Pruter, others from CKCA attending the rally were Janine Burton, parent and school board chair; Brandon Schroeter, teacher, parent and school board member; Hazel Schroeter, 6th grader; and Eric Rostine, parent. These CKCA individuals also attended the Senate Education Committee hearing where the revised Senate Bill 75 on School Choice was introduced. Kansas SB75 is a refundable tax credit bill similar to what Oklahoma passed. SB75 would allow parents to use the public funds set aside for their children’s education to choose the education – public or private, near or far, religious or secular – that works best for them.
Proponents of SB75 advocated that parents’ tax dollars are being spent on children who attend public schools rather than where they choose to send their children. Several argued that many parents cannot afford to send their children to the school they would choose if they had a choice. SB75 would allow them to attend the school they would choose for their children. One proponent said that parents want a school where they can succeed academically and not be indoctrinated with woke ideals and agendas that the public education system is forcing.
CKCA Board Chair Janine Burton agreed: “Parents should not be limited to government-only options like public school. Parents should be able to do what they feel is best for their children. I have heard too many people say ‘I wish I could afford to send my kid to CKCA.’ SB75 would help provide the means for more parents to have a choice.”
Several opponents were concerned about losing funding for special education programs should SB75 pass. Leah Fliter, another opponent who is the Assistant executive director of advocacy for KASB, referred to the separation of church and state and said she didn’t think that it was fair to use public dollars to fund Christian education. “... that means my taxes are being diverted away from public schools that I support and instead are being used to fund religious teachings.”
“Not all taxpayers want to support everything their tax dollars are used for,” Mrs. Burton countered. “I don’t support a lot of what is being taught in the public schools, but I am still paying taxes to them.”
Currently, there are 75 school choice programs in 34 states including Education Savings Accounts, Vouchers, Tax Credit Scholarships, or Individual Tax/Credit Deductions. Eighteen states offer Educational Savings Accounts (ESAs). In just three years, the number of states offering universal school choice has risen from 0 to 12, and 22 other states have passed school choice expansion bills.
“The ultimate question becomes, ‘What is the best educational environment for my child?’” Pruter concluded. “As a parent, there are many factors to consider, including curriculum, program offerings, class sizes, teaching styles, value and cost. School choice would allow one’s tax dollars to follow students to the schools or services that best fit their needs.”
Anyone interested in learning more about CKCA can visit www.ckcacademy.com, contact the school office at 620-792-3477 or email office@ckcacademy.com. Central Kansas Christian Academy also has a Facebook page for followers to keep up with school news and events.
