School Board Candidates Differ on Public Funds for Private Schools

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By Bill McAllister
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Story Created: Mar 11, 2013 at 4:42 PM AKDT

Story Updated: Mar 11, 2013 at 6:11 PM AKDT

ANCHORAGE - As part of the Anchorage Chamber of Commerce’s candidate forum Monday, there was a three-way discussion among candidates for an at-large seat on the school board.

Former state Representative Eric Croft appeared with two former teachers, Stephanie Cornwell-George and David Nees.

One difference came on a proposed constitutional amendment to allow public funds to go to private and religious schools.

Nees said, "I do support it. I think it's a conversation we need to have as a community. If the legislature passes it and you end up voting on it as a state and you approve it, then as a school board member i would have to come up with the way that we'd pass that money on. If it gets turned down by the legislature or the state, it's a non-conversation item."

But Cornwell-George disagreed: “I think it'll create a divide with people. I think it'll remove essential resources to our public schools. And I think we can get with the people, get with community members and schools, and come up with what it is they need and be responsive to those needs."

Croft also opposes it. "...If you create a system where the poorer kids only have a certain caliber of schools and the rich kids can get whatever schools they like, I'm worried both what it does to the school system but as concerning to me is what it does to our society."

There was a similar split on the question of expanding pre-kindergarten programs, with Cornwell-George and Croft in favor, and Nees skeptical of the need.

For a full list of candidates in the April 2 municipal election, click here.

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