LETTER: Our family needs vouchers

Obviously you are uneducated about special needs students and their families, and most obviously about what our public school system here in Missouri has to offer our children.

You forget that our taxes pay for your public schools. The public school system is grossly inadequate in meeting the needs of our children. We in turn, have no other option but to seek a private school that can properly educate our child.

This is a great financial burden to families who already are overwhelmed by mounting medical bills and very expensive speech, physical and occupational therapy bills (most not covered by our health insurance). 

Our son’s needs are $4,300 a month. We are a middle income family who has given up our second income so that I can stay home to meet the needs of my child.

Since we pay for a public school system that we are unable to use we deserve the right for some compensation to send our child to a school which can meet his needs! We are not taking a dime from the public schools. My child has just as much right to an education as any other, and my husband and I have paid into a system for years that we cannot use. This bill is about need and equality! 

Shari Webster - Kansas City