May 4, 2011

The Guilford County Board of Education approved a resolution Monday opposing House Bill 344, which would provide tax credits for children with disabilities who are not enrolled in public schools.

House Bill 344, Tax Credits for Children with Disabilities, was passed by the House Education Committee on April 26. Through the adoption of the resolution, the board is requesting members of the General Assembly to vote against the bill should it come to a floor vote.

The bill would provide parents of exceptional children enrolled in non-public schools with a refundable tax credit of up to $6,000 per school year for special education and related expenses. Public schools currently pay the cost of placement and education at private schools for exceptional children if they cannot offer services to meet the needs in their Individualized Education Plan. Additionally, private schools are not held accountable for meeting Adequate Yearly Progress goals, employing highly qualified teachers or posting annual report cards of their academic results.