SIMI VALLEY : Panelists to Debate Voucher Initiative

The superintendent of the Simi Valley Unified School District and other panelists will square off in a debate Thursday in Simi Valley over whether parents should be allowed to use public funds to send their children to private schools under the so-called voucher initiative.

Representing those in favor of the initiative are Robert L. Plunkett, a Simi Valley attorney who is head of Ventura County Choice in Education League; Aaron Starr, a certified public accountant who is treasurer of the league; and Marilyn Mauer, a retired teacher from the Los Angeles Unified School District, who has previously been a candidate for the Ventura County Community College District board of trustees and the Simi Valley City Council.

Those debating in opposition to the voucher plan will be Robert W. Purvis, Simi Valley Unified School District superintendent; Rob Collins, a Simi Valley High School social studies teacher; and Doug Crosse, Simi Valley school board member.

Signatures are being collected throughout the state in an effort to put the initiative on the November ballot. The plan would allocate each child $2,500 toward tuition and allow parents to choose a public or private school for their children.

Proponents believe it would create better schools while opponents feel the vouchers would erode an already troubled system of public education funding.

The debate will include opening statements and rebuttals, in addition to responses to the audience’s written questions, Plunkett said.

The debate is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. Thursday at Simi Valley City Hall, 2929 Tapo Canyon Road. Tom Pfeifer, managing editor of the Enterprise of Simi Valley, will moderate.