Ogden Standard-Examiner

Viewmont Students Take On Teachers in 'Pro' Presentation

October 10, 2007

BY BETH YOUNG

BOUNTIFUL — In response to a voucher presentation by Davis Education Association several weeks ago, two Viewmont High School students Tuesday presented the pro side of the voucher debate.

“We know the negative view the DEA has on vouchers,” said Heidi Holmes, one of Tuesday’s student presenters. “We just wanted to show the other side and what could benefit this and public schools in general.”

The turnout for the presentation at Viewmont High School was small, but it produced a big debate.
All faculty members were invited to the after-school event, but only three teachers, a vice principal and one student attended.

“It wasn’t surprising,” said teacher Weston Clark. “You are speaking to the wrong crowd. They are not going to convince a lot of teachers to change their mind.”

After Holmes and fellow student Adam Stewart presented how they believed vouchers would benefit Utah education, from more choices for students to more money for public education, they opened the floor to questions.

Although it was teachers asking the questions, they didn’t hold back. They questioned many aspects of vouchers, such as how private schools would be regulated to the fairness of using public money for private businesses.

“In everything I have read, I really don’t understand how (vouchers) can be perceived as a good option,” Clark said. “I really wanted to find out how, in their minds, they could see it as a good option.”

The students used many facts and figures to back up their side of the argument, but in the end, changed few minds.

“I definitely don’t agree with the overall message at all,” said Vice Principal Dan Linford. “Anytime the public has had an opportunity to vote for vouchers anywhere in the country, they have voted them down.”

They may not have agreed, but the faculty members were impressed with the students’ presentation.

“I was asking some tough questions, and the way they responded was impressive,” Weston said. “They know their stuff.”

Stewart may not have swayed any opinions, but he did not feel the presentation was a loss.
“It’s good for us to understand what the real concerns of teachers are,” he said.
Both Stewart and Holmes, whose father is Doug Holmes, chairman of Parents for Choice in Education, a pro-voucher advocacy group, said they would not go to private school because they are happy at Viewmont.

However, they feel this is not the case for everyone.

“The reason I am so passionate about this is, I think it expresses the principles this country was founded on — more choice and giving people the best opportunity to perfect their life,” she said.
Most of the educators agree the voucher debate is something most students don’t care, or know, that much about.

“I think we get a unique response because of our age and the fact that we are public school students who are happy with our education,” Stewart said.

Legislation enacted during the last legislative session would provide vouchers of $500 to $3,000 per child to families to use for tuition at a private school. Voters will be asked to decide the voucher issue in a referendum on the Nov. 6 ballot.