Audit Irks Some in Latino Community

None by KCPW

(KCPW News) A new audit that claims undocumented children cost Utah's public schools as much as 85-million dollars a year is ruffling the feathers of some Latino community leaders. Antonella Packard of ACELA (uh-SELL-uh) - the Latin American Cultural and Education Association of Utah - fears the audit could do more harm than good:

"Whether the intent was to seek information or not, the consequence is that it tends to shed a negative light on any Latino children in the school district," says Packard. "It will encourage people to look at those children and say 'Oh, you're costing our system so much.'"

State Senator Margaret Dayton requested the audit as chair of a legislative committee on education:

"Why would I do this? We are responsible for dividing up the state tax money appropriately to meet the needs of the state," says Dayton. "How can we do that if we don't even know the numbers we're working with."

The trouble, according to critics, is the audit does not take into account the contribution that parents of undocumented students make to the economy through taxes and social security. Nor does the audit explore the cost of the entire undocumented population on society - including medical and emergency expenses. As a result, Packard says the audit targets children unfairly.

Utah lawmakers plan to use the audit's findings in crafting future education policy and funding decisions.

Email to a friendPosted in KCPW Newsroom, Legislative Coverage, and 2007 Legislative Coverage. Copyright 2008 KCPW