By Jessica Swarner | KTAR
Arizona’s top education official says there’s no need for two education-related bills being pushed by a state representative.
Democratic Superintendent of Public Instruction Kathy Hoffman said Thursday that Republican Rep. John Fillmore’s bills concerning vaccines and the Pledge of Allegiance attempt to solve problems that don’t exist.
The first bill, which Fillmore told KTAR News 92.3 FM is meant to protect parental rights, would prevent Arizona schools from requiring vaccinations or refusing to admit any unvaccinated students.
“I don’t think it is necessary,” Hoffman told KTAR News’ Bruce St. James and Pamela Hughes Show.
“The question of vaccinations can be controversial in family law. Divorced parents often may not see eye to eye on the issue. However, regulations requiring vaccinations for admission to school are intended to protect society as a whole. And, if a law is passed removing the duty to vaccinate children for purposes of admission to school, this could invite litigation between parents who share joint legal decision-making authority but who do not agree on whether vaccinations are in the best interests of their child(ren) in the first place.
Similarly, the question of whether a child should be required to recite the pledge of allegiance or opt out could stoke the flames between divorced couples when it comes to school choice.”
