Updated SUNDAY June 4, 2000 (Lead Editorial)

Vouchers
Yes, interest is out there, but execution is everything

School is out for the summer, but there is no break for those working to establish a voucher system to help parents pay for educational alternatives for their kids.

Their efforts have been bolstered by a new Kansans' Attitudes Toward Education survey of 534 adults that shows 60 percent of the respondents favor giving parents "a certain amount of state money (a voucher) that would normally go to their assigned school ... to have their children attend any public, private or parochial school they choose within that state."

Proponents argue that the Legislature, which has repeatedly -- including this year -- rejected voucher bills, is being unresponsive.

But the issue of vouchers is more complicated than just doing what some people want. Details are everything.

Friday, state Attorney General Carla Stovall said in a nonbinding opinion that vouchers for religious K-12 private schools would violate Kansas' constitution, which says, "No religious sect or sects shall control any part of the public education funds."

A similar provision in the Florida constitution led a judge there to reject that state's voucher program in March.

Voucher proponents in Kansas, however, have vowed to keep urging legislators to approve a state voucher system next year, and the survey will no doubt give them some leverage.

In the meantime, longtime Wichita education activist Cindy Duckett is proposing a way to avoid the pesky controversies over state finances and church-and-state issues: She's trying to raise private money to provide voucher "scholarships" for Wichita-area children in first through 12th grade. Business leaders, philanthropists, educators and others have been invited to an informational luncheon June 15. The program, if it gets off the ground, would be part of the Children's Educational Opportunity Foundation of America, and provide up to $1,500 for children from families that are poor enough to qualify for free or reduced-price school lunches.

It's doubtful, however, that families living near the poverty line would be able to make up the difference to pay the $4,000 to $5,000 annual tuition that many private schools charge.

However, the CEO Kansas proposal is worth more deliberation, especially if area private schools are willing to cut fees for voucher families, as organizers hope.

There's no doubt that all sides want better educational opportunities for Kansas kids. How we accomplish that is still up for much discussion. -- For the board, L. Kelly, Wichita Eagle