INDIANAPOLIS —
As Tuesday’s Statehouse rally got under way, Vigo County School Corp. Superintendent Dan Tanoos lead the charge in denouncing any expansion of private school vouchers.
“Are you proud of public education?” he asked the hundreds of people who attended. They cheered, loudly.
“Are we tired of being pushed around in our profession?” Again, more cheers.
“It’s time to say — no more vouchers,” he said, and the chant “no more vouchers” echoed through the south atrium, where the rally was conducted.
He was the first speaker after an introduction by Marilyn Shank, a board member of the Indiana Coalition for Public Education, which organized the event in partnership with the Indiana Parent Teacher Association (PTA).
Although a proposed budget being considered by the Indiana General Assembly would increase school tuition support by 2 percent or $132 million in 2014, Vic Smith — a member of the coalition — projects that if the various bills to expand voucher eligibility pass, vouchers would take at least $21 million of the new school funding away from public schools and divert it to private schools.
Also, “School budgets were deeply slashed by $300 million in December 2009,” Smith said. “To this day that money has not been restored to our schools.”
Tanoos told those assembled Tuesday, “With vouchers and charters, money and resources are siphoned off from public schools,” which must accept and work with all children.
Private schools don’t have to accept all children, he said. He talked about one child who had been attending a private school using a voucher, but the child “didn’t fit into the mold of that particular school.”
So the child now attends the public school system.
Tanoos pointed out that most of the Indiana state legislators attended public schools. He suggested that if those legislators don’t do the right thing as far as public schools, and vote against expansion of vouchers, they may face the same fate as Tony Bennett, and be voted out of office.
“This is not about Republicans and Democrats. It’s about right and wrong,” Tanoos said. “Vouchers are wrong,” he stated, and again, the crowd loudly repeated it several times.
The Vigo County School Corp. was well-represented at the rally, with more than 30 principals and central office administrators attending, as well as a few teachers.
Many held signs during the rally.
Among those attending was Aaron Warner, a Terre Haute South Vigo High School science teacher. “Public money should stay in public schools. I think there is a separation of church and state for a reason,” he said.
The vast majority of private schools in Indiana have religious affiliations, he said. “That’s not where the money should be going,” he said.
Warner also said that “private schools can be selective. We take them all … that’s not a fair playing field.”
He held a sign that said, “Stop voucher expansion.”
Lora Taylor, a teacher at Hoosier Prairie Elementary, attended “to show my support. I think the voucher program is wrong. I don’t think taxpayer dollars should be going to private schools,” she said.
She held a sign that stated, “We need our $300 million back.”
Prior to the rally, Tanoos said he was invited to participate. Vigo County schools lost more than $100,000 this past year to private school vouchers, he said.
After the rally, Tanoos and about 30 principals and central office administrators met with area legislators, Democrats and Republicans, and others not from the Wabash Valley. The Vigo County educators hoped to have an impact on those who favor vouchers.
“There was a lot of good conversation. We expressed our points of view,” Tanoos said.
Sue Loughlin can be reached at (812) 231-4235 or sue.loughlin@tribstar.com.
News
Related Photos
-
No more vouchers: Vigo County School Corporation Superintendent Dan Tanoos addresses the attendees of a rally for education Tuesday in the Statehouse in Indianapolis.
-
Can't vouch for the vouchers: Vigo County School Corporation teachers raise signs in support of a comment made by a speaker during Tuesday's rally for public education at the Statehouse in Indianapolis.
-
Background on the issue: Indiana State Senator Tim Skinner talks to Vigo County School Corporation teachers and administrators in the Statehouse after Tuesday's rally for education in Indianapolis.
-
Where they came from: Vigo County School Corporation Superintendent Dan Tanoos offers that legislators consider what public schools did for them during a rally for education Tuesday in the Statehouse in Indianapolis.
-
Dan's our man: Vigo County School Corporation teachers and administrators cheer as Superintendent Dan Tanoos is introduced to speak during a rally for public education Tuesday at the Statehouse in Indianapolis.
Discussion
Vigo schools superintendent among those who rally crowd in Statehouse
- News
-
-
ISU unveils interactive Bayh Family Legacy Wall at school
A who’s who of Indiana Democrats paid tribute to Evan Bayh and several generations of the Bayh family Friday during a dedication of a new interactive display at Indiana State University.
-
Can you smell me now?
A contraband cell phone has been discovered by the Vigo County Jail’s youngest and most unique officer.
-
GIVING BACK: Steve Weatherford buys shoes for kids day before charity run
Terre Haute’s Steve Weatherford, punter for the 2012 Super Bowl champion New York Giants, showed once again his generosity Friday by donating new athletic shoes to more than two dozen Vigo County kids.
-
N.Y. Giants honor Weatherford as ‘Man of the Year’
Dan Tanoos, superintendent of Vigo County schools, remembers the first time he saw Steve Weatherford as a freshman at Terre Haute North Vigo High School.
-
Sunday recital at The Woods
A recital featuring songs from well-known composers is at 7 p.m. Sunday in the Church of the Immaculate Conception at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods.
-
Police investigating rash of car window shootings
Terre Haute Police are investigating a rash of shootings that have shattered car windows throughout the city.
-
City hospitals get passing grades for patient safety
Two Terre Haute hospitals have been ranked for patient safety by an independent organization that assesses safety, quality and affordability of healthcare for Americans.
-
Three from Operation Turn and Burn sentenced in federal court
Three co-conspirators in a Wabash Valley methamphetamine trafficking ring were sentenced this week to several years in federal prison.
-
Skateboarders, BMX bike riders working to improve area of city park they use
The sound of small wheels rolling across smooth concrete fills the air, accented by the clacking noise of a wooden skateboard coming to an instant stop on a metal edge before rolling on again.
-
Indiana State to host 2014 MVC baseball tourney
Build it… and they will come. The Missouri Valley Conference and Indiana State University made that famous line from the movie “Fields Of Dreams” reality Thursday.
-
Overlay recommended for 812 area code
The state agency that represents Hoosier utility customers is calling for a ten-digit solution to southern Indiana’s vanishing supply of 812 area code telephone numbers.
-
Elementary school saddened by student’s death
A 9-year-old Dixie Bee Elementary student died unexpectedly Wednesday evening as the result of pneumonia, said Vigo County Coroner Susan Amos on Thursday.
-
Vermillion CSX crossings undergoing maintenance
CSX maintenance crews are working on railroad crossings between Dana and Chrisman, Ill. this week and next, a CSX official said Thursday.
-
Beware of scams everywhere
Ever get a phone call in the middle of the night from a person claiming to be your grandchild, who unfortunately has been jailed in Canada and needs bail money?
-
INDOT to start work on Indiana 163 in Vermillion County
Maintenance crews will begin a pavement preservation project Monday on Indiana 163, between Indiana 63 and the Illinois state line west of Clinton.
-
Union Hospital community garden spots now available
Community gardening spots are now available at the Union Hospital Community Garden for Wabash Valley residents interested in planting and maintaining a garden but may not have the space. The garden is located west of the intersection of North Sixth Street and Seventh Avenue in Terre Haute at 1430 N. Sixth St.
-
Correctional officer remembered at memorial
Greene County native and Wabash Valley Correctional Facility Officer Timothy Betts was honored during a memorial ceremony at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C.
-
Money donated for Dresser sculpture
100+ Women Who Care of Vigo County on Thursday awarded a $20,200 grant to Art Spaces that will help make the Paul Dresser sculpture, “A Song for Indiana,” a reality.
-
Powerball jackpot quickly jumps to $550 million
The Powerball jackpot jumped to $550 million on Thursday — the third largest lottery in history — as dreamers in all but the seven states where the game isn’t played snatched up tickets for the minuscule chance at a life on easy street.
-
About 200 channel catfish find new home in Dobbs Park pond
About 200 channel catfish transferred into a new home at the Dobbs Park pond on Wednesday, but it’s unclear how long they’ll remain there. That depends upon the people fishing.
-
GED grads turn the tassels
Michelle McClendon’s first child was born when she was 15.
She tried to stay in school, but it was just too much, so she dropped out to take care of her daughter. -
MARK BENNETT: Local summer music series idea remains a good one
One-of-a-kind ideas happen rarely.
As the biblical adage goes, there is nothing new under the sun. We humans succeed occasionally, inventing electricity, automobiles, telephones and the Internet. Invariably, though, someone else insists, “Hey, my grandpa thought of that years before Edison.” -
State to spend $2M to clean up voter rolls
Indiana’s bloated voter registration rolls, which officials say make elections more susceptible to fraud, will soon come under more scrutiny by the state.
-
Community tips lead to arrest on methamphetamine charges
Acting on community tips and other information, Indiana State Police troopers from the Putnamville District Meth Lab Enforcement Team were led to a rural Vigo County residence where they arrested the homeowner on meth-related charges and a female companion on a Clay County warrant for driving while suspended.
-
Historic National Road Yard Sale begins May 29
Bargains galore are expected along a 824-mile stretch of U.S. 40 as the annual The Historic National Road Yard Sale begins May 29 and continues through June 2
-
Woman arrested after selling relatives truck without permission
A Terre Haute woman faces a charge of auto theft after being arrested for selling a relative’s vehicle without permission.
-
Redevelopment Commission hears TIF districts in good shape
Terre Haute’s special economic development taxing districts, known as TIF districts, are in good financial shape, according to a report given Wednesday to the city’s five-member Redevelopment Commission.
-
Tribune-Star staff wins awards from IAPME
The Tribune-Star was well represented once again at the annual Indiana Associated Press Media Editors awards in Indianapolis Saturday.
-
Indiana’s 2013 Click It or Ticket effort begins Friday
As motorists take to the roads this Memorial Day holiday, the Vigo County Traffic Safety Partnership is urging everyone to buckle up as Indiana’s 2013 Click It or Ticket seat belt enforcement effort begins Friday.
-
Giving back to the community: Day of Energy
Flowers and fresh paint. A new platform for handicapped seating. Spotlight replacement. And even a new utility pole and electrical service. About 10 different projects made positive improvements at the Wabash Valley Fairgrounds on Thursday through a volunteer work day called “Duke Energy in Action.”
- More News Headlines
-
NM Mom Chases Down Child Abductor
Raw: Crash Sends Car Into Fla. Pool
Raw: Obama Sits Down With Elementary Kids
Dying Man's Blinks Lead to Murder Conviction
Raw: Driver Ejected From Truck, Over Bridge
China, Others Want What's Under the Arctic Ice
Ousted IRS Chief: Errors Not Caused by Politics
Terror Suspect Due in Court in Idaho Friday
Raw: Suicide Bomber Kills 2 Americans, 13 Others
Raw: Germany Protestors Picket Barbie House
Wash. State Releases Draft Rules for Legal Pot
One Million Evacuated As Cyclone Hits Bangladesh
Officials Arrest Man in Idaho in Terrorism Case
Raw: Pope Frees Doves From Cage
CDC: Fecal Bacteria Common in Swimming Pools
Raw: Bear Falls From Tampa Tree
Music Therapy Bonds Parents and Preemies
Raw: 6 Die in Russian Ship Fire
Thieves Drain $45M From ATMs in Hours
Today in History for May 15th
Coffee Stop Leads To Arrest Of YouTube Sensation Wanted For Murder
Bearded Dragon Reunited With Owner
Marine Reunited with Warzone Companion
Beyonce Is Pregnant!
SF baseball player overpaid $500,000 RETURNS money -- and team says KEEP IT
$1 Million in Jewels Stolen at Cannes Film Fest
Dad returns from Afghanistan, surprises family during Rays' first pitch
See Jennifer Lopez's New $10m Hamptons Mansion
Woman tricked into taking abortion pill
Emma Watson Goes Pantless
IRS scandal: Republicans seek to tie Obama to agency's woes
Play of the Day: Flipping to Safety
Pregnant Kim Kardashian Squeezes Her Swollen Feet Into Stilettos
Top Videos of the Week: Angry Taco Bell Guy, Glacier Moves on House, Dog Hates Baths
Cindy Crawford Stuns At Cannes
Raw: Marines Come to Obama's Aid in the Rain
CUTE: Monkey shares lollipop with dog, then HITS pooch on head with it
Miranda Kerr Looks Sexy in a Bikini Photo Shoot
Hatchet-wielding viral video star, once a hero, now a murder suspect
