Governor Daniels signs school choice legislation into law

Gov. Mitch Daniels signs Celia Ward’s arm following the school choice bill signing ceremony on May 5. Celia is a fourth-grade student at Central Catholic School in Indianapolis, one of four schools which make up the Mother Theodore Catholic Academies in Indianapolis. (Photo courtesy of Governor’s Office)

By Brigid Curtis Ayer

“Real school choice has come to Indiana,” said Glenn Tebbe, Indiana Catholic Conference (ICC) executive director, moments after watching Gov. Mitch Daniels sign the school choice bill into law during a May 5 bill signing ceremony at the governor’s office.

Tebbe, who has worked to promote school choice in Indiana for more than a decade, said, “For the first time in the history of Indiana, eligible parents will be able to use a voucher to send their children to a nonpublic school. And in many cases, that school of choice will be a Catholic school.”

Kari White of Indianapolis was delighted to learn that she will likely qualify for a voucher for her daughter, Natalie.

“As a single mom, even though I work, it’s a struggle each month to make ends meet,” she said.

White attended Central Catholic School and graduated from Roncalli High School, both in Indianapolis. She wants the same close-knit family environment for her daughter.

“It’s the morals they instill in the children that’s really important to me,” White said. “I also know my daughter will get more one-on-one attention at Central Catholic.

“If I do get the voucher, it will give me peace of mind. I won’t have the added financial stress,” White said. “I’ll be starting college this fall at Ivy Tech to become an X-ray technician. I will be able to better focus on doing well in school, rather than worrying so much about how I’m going to pay for Natalie’s tuition. It will be a big help.”

Sara Browning, principal of Central Catholic, said, “Often, lower-income families must rely on under performing public schools. So if you, as a lower-income parent, are aware that the best road out of poverty is the path of higher education, then you want your child in an elementary school that will help to lay the foundation for a successful educational experience through college and beyond.”

Connie Zittnan, executive director of the archdiocesan Mother Theodore Catholic Academies, which is comprised of four center-city schools in Indianapolis, said, “This legislation is going to have a huge positive impact on our schools. We serve the underserved in our community. On average, 90 percent of our students qualify for free and reduced [price] lunch.

“The legislation will enable us to better serve our children, and open the door to new families,” Zittnan said. “We have about 50 to 75 open slots within our four schools, and we are working hard to fill those slots in the coming school year.”

Working Hoosiers whose children qualify for free or reduced price lunches would get 50 to 90 percent of what it costs the state to educate those students in a public school to attend a private one of their choice.

House Enrolled Act 1003 would only apply to children currently enrolled in a public school for at least two semesters or children already receiving a tax credit scholarship.

Daryl Hagan, superintendent of schools for the Diocese of Evansville, said, “My reaction to Gov. Daniels signing HEA 1003 is one of gratitude. I am grateful that the elected officials in the state of Indiana care so deeply for the students and families that they wish to provide assistance to low- and middle-income families to help their children attend private schools.”

Mark Meyers, superintendent of schools for the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend, agreed.

“I am grateful in that we are in a much better position to help needy families now and mindful of the

responsibility we have to be good stewards of public funds,” he said. “We hope and pray we will contribute greatly to revive our inner-city schools and communities.”

House Enrolled Act 1003 will take effect on July 1.

(Brigid Curtis Ayers is a correspondent for The Criterion. For more information on the Indiana Catholic Conference, log on to www.indianacc.org.) †

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