Jim Scriven, executive director of the Lutheran Schools of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod in the Northwest District, has issued a strong rebuttal to comments made by Washington’s Superintendent of Public Instruction, Chris Reykdal, regarding nonpublic schools in the state.
In a statement released on August 18, Reykdal criticized what he described as the ‘Reckless School Privatization Tax Credit’ passed by Congress.
However, Scriven, who has significant experience within the Lutheran Christian school system, contends that Reykdal’s comments contained numerous inaccuracies and misrepresentations about the role of nonpublic schools in Washington.
Rather than dissect Reykdal’s claims, Scriven emphasizes the critical need for residents to grasp the broader implications of the federal Educational Choice for Children Act, which he claims was unfairly characterized in Reykdal’s statement.
The Act, which becomes law on January 1, 2027, allows Washington taxpayers to divert up to $1,700 of their federal tax obligation to a scholarship-granting organization of their choice.
These organizations can then distribute scholarships for a variety of educational costs, including tuition for nonpublic schools as well as other expenses related to public education, like tutoring and extracurricular activities.
Scriven argues that the most significant factor for Washington taxpayers to consider is the choice regarding whether their families and children can benefit from the Educational Choice for Children Act.
He calls on Governor Bob Ferguson to ‘opt in’ to this program, which would enable the establishment of regulated scholarship-granting organizations within Washington.
If the governor chooses not to opt in, taxpayers will still receive the $1,700 credit; however, they will not have the option to direct those funds to local organizations.
This situation, according to Scriven, does not halt the program but merely limits Washington children and families from taking advantage of the potential benefits.
The new law emphasizes a shift in how taxpayers can allocate federal funds to benefit local families rather than allowing the federal government to decide how to use the money.
Scriven expresses a preference for keeping tax dollars within the state to assist Washington families, rather than allowing them to assist children in other states.
He urges Ferguson to set aside any political disagreements with the federal government and support the state’s participation in the act, emphasizing that this initiative is not intended to detract from funding for public schools.
Rather, it presents an opportunity for residents to retain more of their federal dollars within Washington, ultimately benefiting their own communities.
Regardless of personal views on nonpublic education, Scriven argues that it is advantageous for all citizens to see the tax credit structure in a way that supports local families.
For those interested in further details about the Educational Choice for Children Act, Scriven recommends visiting ChildrensTuitionFund.org or reviewing the act directly.
As the discussion continues surrounding educational funding and choices in Washington, Scriven’s remarks contribute to an ongoing dialogue on how to effectively serve the needs of all students in the state.
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