House to revive discussion on school voucher

The House of Representatives is likely to revive discussion on the school voucher or choice program after the initial proposal more than four years ago drew strong opposition from the Board of Education.

Rep. Brigida Ichihara, chair of the Education Committee, said yesterday she will meet with educators and representatives of the community to feel the public pulse on instituting the program as part of school reforms in the CNMI.

On a visit to Washington D.C., the lawmaker, along with the rest of the nine House members, met yesterday with think-tankers from the Institute for Justice on education reforms.

Clint Bowlick, who had visited the island in the past to look into the local educational system, is willing to help the House draft legislation endorsing the school voucher program, said Ms. Ichihara.

“We are looking at how we can accommodate the low-income family into the program, but we have not come up with any definite plan,” she told reporters in a telephone interview from the nation’s capital.

Viewed as a much-needed reform in the education sector, the program was opposed by BOE in 1997 when the House introduced measures that would have granted each student in the Commonwealth up to $2,500 in financial assistance.

Supporters of the legislation maintained the proposal would have improved the quality of education here, while providing parents more participation into the education of their children.

Although still in the planning stage, the new proposal will be presented to education officials, teachers, parents and the private sector to get their recommendations, according to Ms. Ichihara.

“The plan is to really help students who don’t have the financial resources from public schools get into the private schools,” she said.

Mr. Bowlick, the representative added, has offered his services to assist legislators “at no cost” to the CNMI. The official is responsible in laying down school voucher programs in such states as Florida and cities like Cleveland and Milwaukee.

Meanwhile, Rep. Antonio Camacho, Ways and Means Committee chair, disclosed the delegation received more information on the flat tax system which the House hopes to institute as part of the tax reforms.

Dan Mitchell of the Heritage Foundation briefed the group on how the system works, which Mr. Camacho described as “so simple” that it can be implemented in the Commonwealth.

Mr. Mitchell had previously reviewed the materials prepared by the Barring Group for the CNMI Tax Task Force.

With three days left in their week-long visit, the delegation is set to hold talks with more members of the U.S. Congress as well as other congressional groups like the Western Caucus.

Today, they will meet with Rep. Charles Norwood (R-Georgia) to discuss on health care policies, Sen. Craig Thomas (R-Wyoming), editors of Washington Times and William Myhre of the Maritime Cabotage Task Force on the cruise ship development opportunities, according to Vice Speaker Alejo M. Mendiola.

Despite the tight schedule of the group, they managed to tour the Capitol building and were presented a U.S. flag that was flown outside the building on the day CNMI lawmakers began their visit.