Governor Doug Ducey signed two important bills, HB 2460 and HB 2461, making sure that private schools are treated fairly.

Private schools provide valuable educational opportunities for children in our state, and should have equal opportunity to purchase vacant school district property and should not be targeted with onerous zoning regulations.

HB 2460 affords private schools the opportunity to purchase or lease vacant school district property that is on the market. It also prohibits school districts from withdrawing property solely because a private school or charter school happens to be the highest bidder.

HB 2461 ensures private schools are not required to have more than one acre to operate, which is the requirement currently placed on charter schools. Counties and municipalities should not unfairly single out private schools with unreasonable lot size requirements.

Center for Arizona Policy’s mission includes advocating for school choice so that parents have the opportunity to send their children to the school best meeting their children’s needs. These two bills respond directly to problems faced by private Christian schools in Tucson. One was required to have five acres to operate when charter schools only need to have one acre. The other was denied the opportunity to purchase school property solely because it was a private Christian school.

Join me in thanking Gov. Ducey and Rep. Vince Leach, the sponsor of both bills.

To send them a quick thank you, click here for Gov. Ducey and here for Rep. Leach. Our elected officials receive much criticism – let’s be sure to thank them at times like this.

Click on the bill number to view voting records on HB 2460 and HB 2461.

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