Wide open school choice? House says no

BATON ROUGE — The Louisiana House killed a bill that would have allowed wide open public school choice within each district after members expressed concern about capacity of premier schools.

"We choose our doctors, lawyers, restaurants and florists, but we can't choose our local public education; this bill changes that," said Rep. Stuart Bishop, R-Lafayette, as he introduced House Bill 1101.

Bishop had hoped to allow parents to send their children to any school within the public district in which they live beginning in the 2017 academic year, expanding current school choice law that allows only children who attend failing schools, those listed as "D" or "F" schools, a choice to move.

The bill would have allowed children who attend "A", "B" and "C" schools choice as well.

But Rep. Rogers Pope, R-Denham Springs, who tried to amend Livingston Parish out of the bill, said wide open choice would diminish local control.

"It takes away the authority of local school districts," Pope said. "Our district doesn't want any part of it."

Bishop's bill would have allowed each of Louisiana's public school districts to assess capacity and post available slots at each school, which would have likely caused some students to be turned away anyway.

His bill also kept all Louisiana High School Association rules in place for athletes to prevent recruiting. "This isn't about athletes; it's about parents and children," Bishop said.

But Rep. Pat Smith, D-Baton Rouge, expressed concern expanding choice to students who attend A, B and C schools would have diminished slots at prime schools for those children in failing schools.

"It takes away capacity from students at D and F schools," Smith said.

"I'm not going against (current) law; I'm enhancing it," Bishop said.

But local school officials had similar concerns. The bill was opposed by teacher unions and the Louisiana Association of School Superintendents, who testified during a committee hearing that wide open choice could create chaos.

Bishop's bill failed with a 41-49 vote.

Follow Greg Hilburn on Twitter @GregHilburn1