17: Jenny Clark on Gov. Hobbs’ Proposed Regulations of Arizona’s ESA Program

Grand Canyon Times

Jenny Clark, a member of the Arizona Board of Education, joined the Grand Canyon Times Podcast to discuss the state’s Empowerment Scholarship (ESA) Program and the governor’s recently proposed regulations of the program.

Clark is also the founder of the “Love Your School” organization and a partner at First Day PR.

Following is a summary of this episode:

• Gov. Katie Hobbs’ (D-Ariz.) Proposed Regulations: Hobbs last week proposed new regulations for the ESA program, including a requirement that ESA families spend 100 days in public school before using the scholarship.

• Clark's Response to Hobbs' Proposal: Clark criticized the proposal, saying the there already is high scrutiny of ESA transactions and the transparency of the program compared to public schools.

• Misconceptions Addressed: Clark refuted claims about misuse of ESA funds, explaining the stringent accountability measures in place. She also clarified the legal status of ESAs as scholarships for students, not direct funding to schools.

• Impact of ESA on Families: Clark shared personal experiences and other stories highlighting the positive impact of ESAs, especially for children with special needs or those in unsuitable traditional educational settings.

• Financial Aspects of ESA: Discussed the budget and expenditure of the ESA program, emphasizing its small percentage of Arizona's education budget and the cost-effectiveness compared to public school funding.

• Love Your School Organization: Clark's organization offers free support to families in Arizona and West Virginia, helping them navigate school choice options, including ESAs, homeschooling, and special education evaluations.

• Future of Education Advocacy: Clark discussed educating families about school choice and advocating for the protection of ESAs and other educational options.