Dear Editor:

I support public education. Our public schools support and build community. I retired from over 30 years in public education as a teacher and an administrator. Funding for our schools is always an issue. Supporters of Amendment 2 make it sound like passing it would bring money in for our public schools, but Amendment 2 states money would be for "schools" not "public schools." It would be up to our legislators to allocate the money and there is much precedent for a majority to ear mark the money for private and religious schools. There are already bills passed that allow our state tax money to support vouchers for nonpublic-schools. If you think it is a good idea to use money generated by the gambling industry then support an amendment that clearly states the money would go to public schools and not allow legislators to reduce public school funding and replace it with gambling money. We should not be taking chances with our public schools.

 

James Vokac, Willow Springs