Subject: Utah State PTA Survey Questions
Issue: Education
Date: October 15, 2004
Author: Linda Kelsch

This survey is being sent out to every candidate in Utah for Governor and State Legislature. The results will be compiled, copied and distributed to PTA Leaders from all over the state of Utah in our State PTA Legislative Convention on Oct. 21st. They in turn will be encouraged to distribute them to their local PTA membership. These issues are important to us and we want to know where you stand on them. Please answer each question as succinctly as possible. We will not be able to publish any more than about two sentences on each one.

Thank you very much and good luck to you with your campaign.

Liz Zentner, State PTA Legislative Action Appointee

Responses to Utah State PTA Survey Questions:

1. What do you propose to do to strengthen Utah schools and ensure that every child has access to a high quality education?

I propose giving parents more choices for their children's education. I believe this may be the solution to overcrowding and generate competition that would improve educational programs and administration.

2. Do you support removing the cap on School Trust Land funds?

Because our state has the highest birth rate in the nation, funding education will always be a challenge unless the system changes. I propose putting the taxes for education back into the hands of the people to strengthen the economy and let those who use the educational system pay for it.

3. Do you support legislation to restore nomination to, and election of members of the State board of Education in a way that is more responsive to the constituency of each State School Board District?

Yes, I believe the administration needs to represent the constituents and therefore should be nominated by them.

4. Do you support Tuition Tax Credits and/or vouchers for parents with children in private schools?

Yes, tuition tax credits open policies for parents to choose the schools best suited for their children's needs, abilities, interests, culture, and religion.

5. How do you propose to reduce class sizes and update textbooks?

Studies show that turning education over to private enterprise, non-profit, and scholarship grant organizations (SGO's) will increase competition and generate motivation for the best educational programs to be developed. (See ChoiceInEducationPAC.com) Scholarships, charter schools, and private schools can improve education achievement while relieving public schools of population growth and poor administration.
 

Linda Kelsch, candidate for Utah House District 53