ROSEMARY MCATEE: The Hidden Struggles of Parents Deprived of Their Voice

By Rosemary McAtee |

Concerns surrounding transparency and parental involvement are escalating within Arizona’s Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) program under Superintendent Tom Horne and ESA department head John Ward. As a parent with six years of experience in the program, the recent changes have been disheartening. Instead of fostering trust and allowing educational freedom, Horne’s administration appears to be constraining parental rights established by a landmark bill passed in 2020.

While numerous issues warrant discussion, one critical concern stands out: the development of the new parent handbook. Closed-door meetings and a committee lacking representation from current ESA parents starkly contrast the prior administration’s approach, where former Superintendent Kathy Hoffman facilitated open town halls, encouraging parental input.

This year, despite calls from the State Board of Education’s President for an open forum, Superintendent Horne has remained unresponsive. His recent email to parents urged them to refrain from voicing concerns about the handbook. In it, he stated that the vote on the handbook would be postponed until June, requesting parents to wait before presenting their objections at meetings.

Horne’s communication suggests a disregard for parental feedback. Concerns surrounding the handbook’s content have sparked significant parental pushback, particularly against imposed spending caps deemed inappropriate by many. Critics argue these caps divert attention from deeper issues within the ESA department.

Two specific footnotes raise alarms. First, a statement indicates that “any fees that may be levied by the Department to cover the costs of managing the Empowerment Scholarship Account program” could be deducted from students’ funds. This practice could diminish the already reduced funding students receive compared to public schools.

Second, a troubling footnote allows the Department to reclaim funds for expenses deemed erroneous, putting undue pressure on parents. In a notable policy shift, the current administration has initiated auto-approvals for ESA expenses, previously requiring individual approvals to safeguard taxpayer funds. This change places financial responsibility on parents, exposing them to potential repayments for mismanaged funds by the ESA department.

It’s increasingly clear that Superintendent Horne is not championing parental voices or school choice. Parents are determined to advocate for their rights and will continue to demand a say in educational decisions affecting their children.

Rosemary McAtee is a home-educating parent of seven and a six-year veteran of the ESA program.