As a former RSU 16 School Committee member, I was relieved that LD 1866 was voted “ought not to pass.” That bill proposed to repeal the language in existing law stating that only nonsectarian private schools may be approved for the receipt of public funds for tuition purposes.

I had concerns about the impact on state spending and on local property taxes.

Most of the discussion about this bill was related to the cost. The financial note attached to the bill estimated the impact to be $27 million. That movement of funds away from public schools would come at a time when the state continues to under-fund public education.

Communities struggle to stretch tax dollars and provide the best they can for public schools.

My interest was in the goal of the bill. Passage of this bill would have resulted in public funding of private religious schools. Sen. Garrett Mason was one of three who supported the bill in committee. I feel he is wrong on this issue and is misguided when it comes to understanding the educational needs of the communities he serves.

Using public funds to support private religious schools does not help the local public schools, it hurts them.

I do not support Sen. Mason’s effort to alter existing law.

Christopher Woodford, Minot