Preschool amendment seems unconstitutional, favors wealthy

We are advocates for universal preschool, but not at the expense of our state’s public education system.

The constitutional amendment regarding early childhood education is proposing that the state allow public money be used for private preschools.

Not only will this amendment take away money from public schools to benefit private entities, it will also discriminate against Hawaii’s neediest families.

As proposed by Gov. Neil Abercrombie, this amendment will cost taxpayers upwards of $125 million per year. But there is no proposed source of funds.

So where will the money come from? If this is like a lot of other unfunded ideas that have been proposed for education, the state Department of Education (DOE) will be forced to take the funds from its current programs.

Our state’s education system is already strapped for funding. The DOE recently announced shortfalls in utilities and student transportation to food services. To balance lowered state tax revenue projections, the DOE is currently proposing cuts and adjustments to public school programs and resources.

Without any plans to raise the additional $125 million, this amendment would further rob our public school system from already limited and necessary funding; funding that could be used for infrastructure and technology upgrades, school supplies, or more teachers to help reduce class sizes.

It seems unconstitutional to funnel our public, taxpayer money toward already wealthy private preschools that charge as much as $15,000 in annual tuition.

And it is not even guaranteed that the preschool tuition subsidies proposed by the amendment would cover the entire cost of preschool tuition. Even if half of tuition were covered, the neediest families might still not be able to afford the remaining thousands of dollars in annual tuition to send their children to private preschools.

Also, most of the neediest communities are currently not served by private pre-schools. Most are concentrated in wealthier neighborhoods, often inconvenient for those traveling from areas like Waianae or North Shore, for example.

Instead of creating equal access to preschool education, this amendment would further isolate families and children who need the support. It may sound like a good idea, but in reality it would simply be a subsidy for those families that can already afford private preschool.

As teachers, parents and community members, we feel a responsibility and commitment to ensure that our children have equal access to quality education, supportive learning environments and the best opportunities possible. Like the majority, we believe in the need for universal preschool education.

However, this constitutional amendment will sacrifice the needy to benefit a small segment of the wealthy. And that is not fair.