HAMILTON â The Hamilton Community Schools board Monday approved a joint resolution with the Hamilton teachers association against proposed legislation expanding vouchers and creating Education Savings Accounts.
Superintendent Anthony Cassel said the proposed legislation allows parents to opt out of public schools by providing a taxpayer-funded debit card valued at $5,000 to $7,000 that can be spent on private schools, home schooling, tutoring or any number of private education products and services.
The proposed legislation also would expand the annual income limit for families eligible to use vouchers, Cassel noted.
âTheyâre expanding benefits for the upper class,â Cassel said.
âThe original intent of vouchers and school choice .. often had to do with the bigger cities, giving the students choices that were in failing schools a viable option. Theyâre now looking at expanding the annual income limit for a household of five from $85,000 to $170,000. �
The school board approved Mayâs appointment during Mondayâs board meeting, Superintendent Tony Cassel reported.
Brad Hennessey has stepped down from his position as athletic coordinator and will continue in his role as head maintenance director.
Also Monday night, the board approved a contract with Koorsen Fire and Security for annual maintenance and an upgrade of the school fire alarm system.
During previous meetings, Cassel reported that numerous false alarms are being triggered out of a specific zone in the school building that includes the front hallway. Last year brought 39 false alarms that were burdensome to the volunteer firefighters who were called to respond, Cassel has said. Koorsen offered a quote of about $38,000 to replace the system.