PHOENIX – Earlier today, Attorney General Kris Mayes officially warned families that under state law, private schools and vendors that accept vouchers can discriminate against students based on religion, sexual orientation, gender identity and learning abilities.
In response, AEA President Marisol Garcia released the following statement:
“Most Arizonans agree: schools funded by our public dollars should be places where every student has the chance to learn, grow and prepare for the future -- regardless of whether they’re gay or straight, Christian or Muslim, trans or cis. And yet our state is spending hundreds of millions of dollars a year subsidizing private schools that are legally allowed to discriminate against kids for having two gay fathers, or refuse to admit practicing Christians.
We’re grateful to Attorney General Kris Mayes for warning Arizonans about the exclusionary nature of the voucher program. As educators, we are joining forces with parents, students, communities, businesses, and elected officials to defend our state’s values. It’s going to take all of us working together, just as we have in the past, to fix the current voucher mess."
