Say no to preschool voucher plan
I don’t imagine anyone needs reminding of the sound defeat Gov. Neil Abercrombie faced in his bid for re-election. But perhaps now would be a good time to remind voters of the many shortcomings of the Abercrombie plan for “voucher” preschool.
This ill-conceived plan would cost taxpayers upwards of $125 million per year, with money that has not even been allotted in the state budget.
As an educator, I appreciate the need for quality preschool experiences for our youngest keik. The Abercrombie plan, however, will not fix the preschool access problem. Besides setting bad precedent — using public taxpayer funds for private education — the ConAm measure on November’s ballot will rob our already limited public school budget; taking education funding that could go to improvements like building repairs, more school supplies or technology updates. Do you wonder why we do not have money for air conditioning or even fans in our classrooms?
Another failing of the Abercrombie preschool plan is that it would not cover the entire cost of private school tuition — again leaving the neediest of our ohana still without affordable preschool.
A better plan would have us pursue pre-kindergarten, fully funded by the state and taught by licensed, well-qualified educators. It may take time to implement pre-K, but there is a clear need in our state for early childhood education that is accessible to all.
If you truly support our public education system, then voters should unite and defeat the constitutional amendment on November’s ballot allowing private voucher preschools. This is not the way to best serve our keiki.
Toni Reynolds
Kailua-Kona
Corporations are not people, amend Constitution
Having long since given in to the corporations, “our” Supreme Court lately would disenfranchise we living humans yet more. This isn’t sustainable policy, no matter which way you cut it.
There have to be options for recourse for finding our highest offices not simply vacant to our needs, but further being servile to commercial interests not congruent with actual living things’ needs and wishes.
There have to be functional mechanisms of government — unlike the present “official” ones — which serve the needs of living people, and not the “artificial organisms” who have proved so unworthy of citizenship anywhere.
Dispersonate the deadly paper creature — corporation.
Rick Weddle
Honokaa