St. Cloud Diocesan Council of Catholic Women at 25008 Mary St., Paynesville, MN 56362 US - LEGISLATIVE
| LEGISLATIVE |
|
By: Karen Ament
|
CATHOLIC EDUCATION: Why it's good for all of us, our State and especially many young people who will become good citizens and taxpayers. Private schools save taxpayers substantial dollars that can go towards public schools or other worthy programs. Our private schools are a major asset. Peter Noll, Minnesota Catholic Conference Education Director says, "Catholic Schools in Minnesota save taxpayers $295 million a year in state foundation aid alone."
Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty told Catholic Educators that school choice is a priority for him. " I want to tell you that for the last days and hours that I serve as governor, I will continue to stand with you as an advocate for school choice and parent choice in Education. We must continue to be vigilant about upcoming attacks on State Funding for non-public schools for transportation, special education, textbooks and other services." Please point out to your friends and neighbors the value of keeping non-public schools alive. In this tight economy it's even more important to not cut back on funding for non-public schools. If they go under all their students will need to go to public schools at a far greater cost to all taxpayers.
The Minnesota Catholic Conference advocates on behalf of the Catholic Bishops of Minnesota. Their stated objectives in regards to private education are:
* Protect the rights of private school students, parents and educators to access special education services and benefits.
* Provide State funding for children to participate in early childhood learning and school preparedness programs in private schools. *Preserve and expand parental choice in education to include education tax credits for contributions to Education Foundations. *Sustain full state funding of existing parental choice benefit for students attending private schools, such as: student transportation, textbook allocations, health services and guidance counseling. *Support abstinence education and oppose family life and sexuality education programs that promote practices contrary to church teachings.
This summer and fall election season keep this important issue at the forefront of concerns. Buttonhole all candidates you meet and ask them if they will continue to support funding for non-public schools. And then VOTE according to how they answer you. Every vote counts and our kids are depending on you
|