In a direct follow-up to last month’s School Choice Awareness Event at the Colorado Capitol, Agudah met with Senate Minority Leader Paul Lundeen along with Mr. Mordechai Hoffman, Executive Director of Hillel Academy of Denver. At the meeting, Senator Lundeen expressed his strong support for School Choice and committed to working with the community to further School Choice and other important issues.
That same day, a hearing took place in the Senate Education Committee to address HB24-122, the proposed Empowerment Scholarship Accounts bill for students with an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or other specific educational needs, to use in private schools. In other words, if this bill passed, students with an IEP would have vouchers for private school tuition. At the hearing, Senator Barbara Kirkmeyer, who sponsored the bill, spoke powerfully about the massive impact such a bill would have on IEP students. A spirited debate followed her speech, and ultimately the bill fell through with a close vote of 4-3. Agudah of Colorado director Rabbi Yossi Kaplan had the opportunity to thank Senator Kirkmeyer in person for her efforts. “Although the bill didn’t pass,” says Rabbi Kaplan, “this was another step in the right direction towards granting Colorado parents the right to choose the educational environment best suited for their kids.”
Agudah of Colorado commends Senator Kirkmeyer and Senator Lundeen for their efforts on behalf of Colorado’s parents and children. Agudah continues to work closely with legislators and partners toward the goal of school choice and better education options in Colorado.