As a Reading Specialist who retired after 35 years in the Roslyn Public Schools, I would like to tell the community why I am against school vouchers.

Most of the parents in the district were attracted to Roslyn because of the excellent public school system and that excellence has been a source of pride for many years. Therefore, most of the children would remain whether the government pays for vouchers or not.

However, some parents would take the vouchers and try to find a private school for their children. There are very few local offerings. Those who did transfer would discover that vouchers do not pay for the entire tuition or transportation or books and supplies, let alone uniforms.

Those who remain in the public schools, which would encompass the majority, would soon discover that, with government money siphoned off for vouchers, public schools would no longer have the same funds for renovation, books and supplies. Also, there would be less money available for teachers, so staff would be reduced and classes larger than before.

Those who advocate vouchers make it sound like Santa Claus, but there are definite drawbacks for the entire community and it means taking away from children the wonderful things we worked so hard to give them. Please, think of our children and vote in their behalf.

Sophie Freeman