By Yvonne Wingett Sanchez and Rob O’Dell | The Republic
Public-education advocates are launching a referendum campaign to halt the controversial expansion of Arizona’s school-voucher-style program.
Members of the group Save Our Schools Arizona said they would file paperwork this week and begin gathering signatures to refer their proposal to the November 2018 ballot. The group has planned a rally and news conference on Monday at 5 p.m. at the state Capitol.
The expansion of the Empowerment Scholarship Accounts program, signed into law last month by Gov. Doug Ducey, opens ESAs to all public- and charter-school students. Up to 30,000 parents could use the new program by 2022. It’s scheduled take effect 90 days after the state Legislature adjourns.
ESAs had been limited to certain children, including those with disabilities, and those from poor-performing schools.
