The Georgia legislature is considering two bills that would create the state’s third private school voucher program. If approved, Senate Bill 173 and House Bill 301 would both establish a voucher program referred to as an education savings account. The bills carry a steep cost. An analysis of HB 301 concluded the price tag would be over $500 million by 2029. The voucher program proposed in SB 173 has a similar design and would likely have the same cost.

These bills divert funds from public schools to private schools. They could compound the financial challenges districts already face due to:

Lack of inflation adjustment in state funding for public schools

Shrinking state funding for student transportation

Elimination of state funding for health insurance for bus drivers, custodians and other non-teaching staff

Voucher programs do not serve students well. Recent analyses of voucher programs in Indiana, Ohio and Washington DC found a decline in achievement among voucher students.

No evaluation has been done of Georgia’s existing $100 million tax credit program. Little is known about the program including how many students participate, the private schools they attend, the school district they reside in or how they do academically.  

The Clarke County School Board opposes private school voucher programs as outlined in its 2019 legislative agenda. Concerned parents and citizens can discuss these issues with their legislators.