Regarding North Dakota House Bill 1532, this is a bill that has already passed the House of Representatives. This bill would direct $24 million of taxpayer dollars for private schools in North Dakota. Instead, the $24 million in taxpayer funds should be directed to better teacher pay and facilities in the public school system to help recruit and retain talented teachers.
My folks didn't have a lot of money and chose to sacrifice (a Christian tenet) and send all 10 of us kids to private school K-12. I never heard them complain about taxes for public schools. They taught us public education is part of our responsibility as citizens. We don't have children and we are happy to do our part to help pay for public schools and libraries.
Public funding for quality public education is the best role for government in economic development to help our residents reach their potential. North Dakota should continue to require that taxpayer funds be used for public schools that enroll students from all backgrounds, religions and ethnicities.
If this bill passes the legislature, Gov. Doug Burgum should veto it.
Mike Williams is a resident of Fargo.
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