LETTER TO THE EDITOR

I strongly support Catholic education – and now, more than ever

Posted

To the Editor:

In the June 26 edition of Rhode Island Catholic, you provided your readers with an update of House Bill 8385, which would have saved money for public schools but would have denied textbook aid, transportation and a number of other services to children who attend parochial schools.

The bill failed overwhelmingly, thereby preserving the very modest assistance we provide to parents who choose not to send their children to public schools for a variety of reasons. It has long been my contention that those parents actually provide their cities and towns with some fiscal relief by not enrolling their children in the public school system.

It was reported that I was not present at that meeting for non-passage of the bill. In fact, I was at another committee meeting and left early in order to vote on H8385 in HEW. By the time I arrived to the hearing room, the vote had already been taken.

I asked the clerk of the committee to formally change the original 10-1 vote to 11-1 by allowing the record to reflect that I, too, was opposed to the bill and wished to preserve parochial and private school support.He did so and the updated voting record reflects my opposition to H8385.

As a product of parochial school from elementary school to earning my Master’s Degree, I know that I was provided not only with an excellent education, but with a moral compass by which I try to live my life. The mission of a Catholic education has not diminished over the years and the ethical and honorable standards to which the schools subscribe are more critical in the 21st century than they ever were before.

Rep. Patricia A. Serpa

District 27 - West Warwick, Warwick, Coventry