State School Board Will Not Offer Vouchers Yet

None by KCPW

(KCPW News) In a vote of 10 to 4 yesterday, members of the Utah State Board of Education decided not to implement vouchers. School Board Chairman Kim Burningham hopes the move will hasten a Utah Supreme Court ruling to clarify a legal conundrum.

The main bill creating vouchers is on hold pending a November referendum. But many, including Attorney General Mark Shurtleff, believe the board has the authority - and obligation - to create vouchers based on the framework of a second voucher-related bill that amended the original. The School Board disregarded Shurtleff's counsel and chose instead to endorse a petition by several lawmakers and public education leaders opposed to vouchers.

Burningham notes that two citizen groups have already filed with the State Supreme Court challenging the ballot language drafted for November's referendum. But he believes the Board's outright refusal to implement vouchers will spark a more direct legal challenge that will force clarity before the November election.

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