BURNET, Texas — Residents in Burnet are expressing mixed emotions over the recent enactment of Senate Bill 2, the school choice bill signed into law by Governor Greg Abbott.In February, when the idea of using taxpayer dollars to support school choice was just an idea, people in rural communities shared their opposition calling it "criminal". Now that the bill is signed into law, people ...
BURNET, Texas — Residents in Burnet are expressing mixed emotions over the recent enactment of Senate Bill 2, the school choice bill signed into law by Governor Greg Abbott.
In February, when the idea of using taxpayer dollars to support school choice was just an idea, people in rural communities shared their opposition calling it "criminal". Now that the bill is signed into law, people are conflicted.
Carroll Price, a Burnet resident whose children attended the Burnet CISD system, said this will only hurt public education in rural communities.
"I hate it. I think it's against the constitution," she said. "I think it's going to destroy our public schools by taking money away from them."
Kyle Thompson, another Burnet resident, said taxpayer dollars belong to the public schools, not private institutions.
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"I think it's a shame. I think it's a disservice to our kids, and I think it's a disservice to our communities," he said.
However, some residents see the bill as an opportunity for change. An anonymous Burnet resident who homeschools his children said giving family's more choices will force school districts to improve their procedures.
"You're giving people the ability to make the decision that they want, that's best for that student." He believes that providing more choices will compel public schools to improve. "If you can give them options, I think they're going to make the best decision," he said.
James Henson, Director of the Texas Politics Project, suggested that the legislation might lead to the emergence of more private school options in rural areas.
"I think the advocates of this legislation certainly have made the suggestion that by subsidizing the parents who want to send their children to private schools, that you might incentivize the creation of private schools in some of these areas," Henson said.
The law is set to take effect on September 1, with vouchers expected to be distributed by the fall of the 2026-27 school year.