Sue Kingery Woltanski: Tax Funded LEGOS, “Hamilton” tickets, Skateboards, and Disney admissions – Money Well Spent?
Sue Kingery Woltanski takes a look at just what Florida voucher money can be spent on.
When HB1 was discussed in the Legislature, much of the conversation revolved around the expansion to Universal Vouchers and the use of these vouchers for private school tuition. Opponents asked whether private schools needed to be certified or private schools needed to be accredited (they do not), while public commenters repeatedly reminded committee members that, with ESAs, there was no requirement that these tax dollars be spent on schools at all.
Now we can see how our tax dollars may be spent.
Let’s compare the language of HB1 and the allowed purchases per Step Up for the first new “allowable expense”: “Instructional materials, including digital materials and Internet resources.” It takes 5 PAGES of Step Ups Purchasing Guide to list all the things that FES-EO families can purchase in addition to tuition and transportation. I have CAPITALIZED and BOLDED some of the more “interesting” purchases. Remember, YOUR tax dollars are funding these purchases:
Instructional materials, including digital materials and Internet resources:
Digital Materials: Annual Digital Materials Categorical Spending Cap: $750
Scholarship funds may be used to purchase digital material such as CDs, DVDs, and digital documents.
Internet Resources: Annual Internet Resources Categorical Spending Cap: $900
Guardians may use scholarship funds to pay for in-home internet services at the Florida residential address associated with their student’s scholarship application. Modem or router rental from the internet service provider and billed with a monthly internet service is also eligible.
PHYSICAL EDUCATION: ANNUAL P.E. EQUIPMENT OR FEES CATEGORICAL SPENDING CAP: $3,000 (piece of equipment will be reimbursed up to $1,000). There is no annual spending cap on Sports Lessons.
Frequency of Purchase: 2 years (for equipment only)
Authorized P.E. expenses include sports lessons, fees, or equipment (subject to manufacturer’s age recommendations), including:
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- HOME PLAYSETS/SWING SETS (INCLUDING RUBBER MULCH or safety materials)
- Exercise Equipment (including stationary bikes, treadmills/walking pads, weight benches)
- Ping Pong Tables/Table Sports (PING PONG, BASKETBALL SHOOTING GAMES, FOOSBALL TABLES, AIR HOCKEY)
- Sports lessons (including individual training or group trainings)
- Sports Equipment (balls, basketball goals, racquets, etc.)
- TEAM FEES (INCLUDING REGISTRATION, equipment rental, and competition fees)
- STAND-ALONE ATHLETIC EVENT FEES (including foot or bike race registrations, endurance events, Special Olympics Registrations)
- GYM/FITNESS MEMBERSHIPS or “Class Passes” (for the student only), including on demand fitness classes.
- Individual trampolines
- Swim goggles, snorkels, masks, fins
- SKATEBOARDS
- KAYAKS, CANOES, SURFBOARDS, BOOGIEBOARDS, SKIM BOARDS, STAND-UP PADDLEBOARDS
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ELECTIVES: ANNUAL ELECTIVES CATEGORICAL SPENDING CAP: $2,000. FREQUENCY OF PURCHASE: 1 YEAR FOR SUPPLIES; 2 YEARS FOR EQUIPMENT
Lessons, equipment, or consumables generally associated with elective or enrichment (non-core academic subjects), may be purchased, including:
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- Music Lessons
- Art Lessons
- Art Supplies (including subscription kits)
- CLUB FEES (SUCH AS BOY/GIRL SCOUTS, AND 4H/FFA CLUBS)
- Cooking Lessons
- Cooking Supplies (including subscription kits)
- Drama Lessons
- Foreign Language Lessons
- Sewing Lessons
- Sewing Supplies
- Animal Husbandry Lessons or Training Programs
- Animal Husbandry Supplies
- Woodworking/Building Lessons or Training Programs
- Woodworking/Building Supplies (tools must satisfy manufacturer age recommendations)
- Mechanical Lessons or Training Programs
- Gardening or Horticultural Lessons or Training Programs
- Garden Supplies (tools must satisfy manufacturer age recommendations)
- Safety items (including protective gloves and goggles)
- Programming/Digital Production Lessons
- Enrichment Classes/Courses
FIELD TRIPS: CATEGORICAL SPENDING CAP: $500
The following items are eligible for student admission only. Family admissions reimbursements will be prorated to cover only the student’s cost. A student’s ticket price must be age appropriate. Tickets or admission must be purchased directly from the venue/vendor. Secondary market or resale tickets are not reimbursable.
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- Museum Admission
- Programs or Events at Museums
- Museum or Library Memberships
- TICKETED EVENTS (INCLUDING PLAYS, MUSICALS, or orchestral performances)
- Admission to Cultural Programming Events or Facilities
- ADMISSION TO A FLORIDA THEME PARK – LIKE DISNEY, UNIVERSAL STUDIOS…
AT HOME CLASSROOM FURNISHINGS: ANNUAL CLASSROOM FURNISHINGS CATEGORICAL SPENDING CAP: $2,000 FREQUENCY OF PURCHASE: 2 YEARS FOR FURNITURE, OR TELEVISIONS/PROJECTORS
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- Desk (age/size appropriate)
- Chair (age/size appropriate)
- Storage (including bookshelves and storage or organization containers)
- Architect/Drafting Table (age/size appropriate)
- PICNIC TABLE
- TELEVISIONS (UP TO 55”)
- Indoor Projector
- Standing or Drop-Down Screens
- Whiteboards
- Rugs or Foam Tiles
- Maps/Globes/Atlases
- Bulletin Boards
- Timers/Clocks
- Educational Posters/Visual Supports
Learning Manipulatives/Creative Play Items: ANNUAL LEARNING MANIPULATIVES/CREATIVE PLAY CATEGORICAL SPENDING CAP: $400
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- LEGOS
- DOLLS (AND ACCESSORIES)
- STUFFED ANIMALS
- Blocks
- Dominoes/Marbles
- Puzzles
- Board/Card Games
- Chess/Checker Sets
- Dress Up Clothing
- Play Kitchens
- Water Tables
Educational Subscription Kits: Annual Educational Subscription Kit Categorical Spending Cap: $2,000
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- Educational Subscription Kits curated and mailed to the home by a kit company are eligible for reimbursement. Subscriptions must be age and size appropriate.