In 1925, the U.S. Supreme Court affirmed the constitutional right of parents “to direct the . . . education of children under their control.” This might seem to be a facet of the privacy right so dear to liberals (see above: abortion). Be that as it may, Douglas County’s 500 scholarships empower parents to exercise the right the U.S. Supreme Court has affirmed. And the right Colorado’s Supreme Court affirmed two years later: In 1927, it upheld the “right of parents to have their children taught where, when, how, what and by whom they may judge best.”
The battle that is being fought in DougCo is far larger than the details of just their voucher program. It is a battle over whether government becomes a partner in education reform or a stumbling block on the road to better schools.
With three seats up on the DougCo school board in November, the school parents and voters of Douglas County will have an opportunity to put their stamp of approval on the nationally-watched campaign for school choice.
Ultimately what matters in this battle is not the decision of one justice or one court, but what the citizens who elect school boards think. We expect this November's election will take on an out-sized profile like the court case has.
For all those big talking elected officials trying to summon courage to implement big reforms at other levels of government, they don't need to look any further than 7 school board members in Douglas County.