Board Voucher Action (Press Release)
Posted by Tom on May 29th, 2007The following is the full text of a news release from USOE. I’ve added links to relevant documents; the final order is available too.
SALT LAKE CITY – The Utah State Board of Education voted 10-4 today not to implement a voucher program in Utah based solely upon the provisions contained in House Bill 174, an amendment to the state’s original voucher bill, House Bill 148.
The Board’s action came in response to a petition brought by Utah State Reps. Sheryl L. Allen, R-Bountiful, Kory M. Holdaway, R-Taylorsville,and Steven R. Mascaro, R-West Jordan along with Utahns for Public Schools and Vik Arnold, director of Political Action & Government Relations at the Utah Education Association. The petitioners asked the Board to refuse to implement House Bill 174 as a stand-alone measure in light of a recall ballot on House Bill 148, the original voucher measure. Utahns will vote Nov. 6 on whether to recall House Bill 148. The amending bill, House Bill 174, passed by a margin that precludes any recall election.
Voting not to implement vouchers were Board Members Dixie Allen of Vernal, Laurel Brown of Murray, Kim R. Burningham of Bountiful, Janet A. Cannon of Holladay, Greg Haws of Hooper, Michael Jensen of West Valley City, Randall Mackey of Salt Lake City, Denis Morrill of Taylorsville, Debra G. Roberts of Beaver, and Teresa Theurer of Logan. Voting against the measure were Board Members Mark A. Cluff of Alpine, Bill Colbert of Draper, Thomas Gregory of Provo, and Richard Moss of Santaquin. Board Member Richard Sadler of Ogden was excused from the meeting.
