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Arizona Republican Party chairwoman says ESA program needs better oversight

Gina Swoboda
Gage Skidmore/CC BY 2.0
Gina Swoboda

The rapid expansion of Arizona’s school voucher program has raised red flags from Democrats and public school advocates. Now the chairwoman of the Arizona Republican Party says the program needs better oversight.

KJZZ previously reported that just a dozen employees at the Arizona Department of Education are tasked with reviewing how parents or guardians spend voucher dollars.

And recent reporting by 12News revealed questionable items were purchased with vouchers, like diamond rings, lingerie and home appliances.

In an interview with the station earlier this week, Republican Party Chairwoman, Gina Swoboda said people are taking advantage of the system and making purchases that should not be approved.

She said she wants parents to have school choice, but thinks an audit is needed.

Senior field correspondent Bridget Dowd has a bachelor’s degree from Arizona State University’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication.