Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes sent out a warning to parents Monday morning. She said families who leave the public school system with Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) funds give up certain rights and should be wary of ESA vendor scams.
In a press release, Mayes said "families should know that when they accept an ESA, they lose protections from discrimination related to a child’s learning abilities, religion and sexual orientation."
It appears to be the latest policy disagreement between Mayes, a Democrat, and Republican Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne.
Horne responded shortly after with a written statement, saying under the ESA program, special education students receive the same funding as they would attending a public school.
In an interview with KJZZ News, he said ESA funds were used for non-educational purposes in the past, but when he took office, he hired an auditor to ensure ESA funds are used appropriately.
“In fact, people who were used to the older lax system, protested against me because they preferred that," Horne said. "They didn’t like the fact that I was cracking down, but I am determined that all ESA funds will be strictly in compliance with the legislation and that every single penny spent will be for a valid educational purpose.”
Mayes said ESA parents give up rights under federal statutes that allow them to access their student’s educational records.
Horne said he hasn’t had a chance to research that and doesn’t yet have a comment.
