School Voucher Initiative

Timothy C. Draper wants to siphon taxpayer money to fund unregulated private schools lacking accountability to the public and not meeting state academic standards (“A Flamboyant Revival for School Voucher Campaign,” June 21). This wealthy Silicon Valley entrepreneur is using the initiative process as his private sandbox, insisting that public cash be used to finance his private whims. The measure as written also goes to great lengths to shield voucher schools from scrutiny so parents can make informed comparisons, as any free-market model requires.

Draper could do far better by investing his anticipated $40-million campaign war chest to finance private education scholarships without involving the government or taxpayer money. If Draper wants to dabble in education and subsidize private educational choices, let him use his own money and the personal resources of like-minded Libertarians. If not, this unwise proposal could cost California taxpayers a whopping $2.48 billion, according to the state legislative analyst.

ALAN TRUDELL

Anaheim Hills

*

Draper is a multimillionaire who moved his children from public school to parochial school in a snit because he was asked to fill out a substitute teacher form when he offered to teach a class on “venture capitalism.”

Why should my tax dollars go to subsidize inculcating children with religious beliefs to which I am opposed? What will the parents his cynical campaign is targeting do when there is no private school, or $4,000 is not enough to pay for any school, within miles of their homes? Will he give $4,000 to the parents who are already sending their children to private schools? He and other Republicans are dedicated to destroying the public school system, and his proposal is just the latest scam to come out of their camp.

MICHAEL GORMAN

Fresno

*

The June 19 Supreme Court decision on prayer at school events is just another nail in the coffin of the government’s education monopoly. It chases parents out the doors of public schools like a fire alarm. I believe the American people are intelligent and responsible, capable of determining where and how their children can best be educated. We deserve the choice, and school vouchers will give it to us.

JAMES BJORSETH

Granada Hills