Dave Begel – On MilwaukeeDave Begel is a columnist for On Milwaukee and he wants to terminate the Milwaukee Parental Choice Program. Begel argues that ending the voucher program will send $200 million back to the Milwaukee Public School District. Indeed, that would amount to a 17 percent increase in the district’s budget. A very large sum, just as Begel concludes.
Begel asks readers to imagine the possibilities: “Two adults in every early education classroom. A return of art and music programs. Guidance counselors in every school to help students chart their course.”
Dave Begel
But Begel seems to forget that all 24,915 voucher students would also return. That represents a 32 percent increase in the district’s student population.
While the Milwaukee Public School District spent $15,253 per pupil in 2012-13, the voucher was worth $6,442. Factoring in the budget and student population increase, the district would see per-pupil spending drop by $1,807. If it couldn’t afford two teachers per class and art and music programs and guidance counselors at $15,253 per kid, it certainly won’t be able to afford all that at $13,446.
Critics should be careful when arguing that school choice drains funds from public schools. Since pretty much every school choice program receives fewer dollars per pupil, nothing would drain public school coffers faster than terminating choice programs and sending the kids back to district schools.
