Speak Up: Proposed legislation would allow private school students to compete in public school clubs and sports

Independent Newsmedia

Republicans in the Arizona Legislature are using their political capital to push legislation that would require public schools to accept private school students on their after-school clubs and athletic teams, and Scottsdale Unified School District Superintendent Dr. Scott Menzel doesn’t think much of it.

• “Push? Many schools would not have sporting opportunities if it weren’t for the additional students. It’s not just private students, it is also homeschooled students. My daughter went to a private school and was a competitive cross country runner. Her track team did not have enough participants, and therefore could not participate in regional and state events. Her sophomore year, they added a number of private and homeschooled students which permitted the entire team to compete on a higher level.” — Rebecca Romanucci via Nextdoor
• “Seems like it is good thing for the children to be included! Isn’t that what we want for our youth? Almost three decades ago my son attended a charter school but the neighborhood public school welcomed him to participate in the after school chess club-no politicians were involved. Both of my kids also benefited from the speech services. sad to think there may be people out there who would deprive kids of opportunities no matter where they attend school during the day.” — Larry Morgan via Nextdoor
• “I wonder how the Republicans would feel about Brophy being forced to let public school kids play on their team. So you can take $ from the public schools by sending your kids to a private school and then use the public schools’ resources for sports and clubs. Got it.” — Mary Tkatchov via Nextdoor
• “Private school kid’s parents pay taxes for public schools plus then pay the tuition for the private schools so they should have as much access to the services provided by public schools as they desire” — Wayne F. via Nextdoor
• “Kavanagh claims it's fair since they are paying property taxes, but they are getting those taxes back (and more) via ESA vouchers. Let them play, but make them pay. Otherwise they are double dipping.” — Dan I. via Nextdoor
• “Just let them play.” — Ann N. via Nextdoor
• “If a wealthy person complained they didn’t like the public park in their neighborhood and demanded tax payers pay for their country club, people would tell them it was absurd and to go away. School vouchers are no different.” — Laura E. via Nextdoor
• “What could possibly go wrong?” Lots.” — Charlotte Thomas via Nextdoor
• “Sure let the kids play. Just because you want a charter school education doesn’t mean you can’t play sports. Or at least charge them a different amount for the sport” — John Manley via Nextdoor
• “This is too much of an ask for public schools to manage ... And with their funding cut and lower enrollment numbers, this is an unfair expectation to open their campuses to kids and parents who don't call those campuses home. There are times we can’t have it all, and the decisions made to send kids to a private or charter school means that those decisions sometimes lead to having to pass up on somethings (like sports) but you gain others things (like smaller class size).” — Lara V. via Nextdoor
• “Most public schools athletic programs & other extracurricular activities are funded through Arizona’s tax credit program, so don’t insinuate that taxpayers are getting shortchanged!” — Michael Pazak via Nextdoor