Rally held to oppose school vouchers

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - The battle over school choice took center stage at the Statehouse again today. 

This time, it was a rally against more school vouchers. The message from PTA members, school administrators, and others was clear: they don't want the new legislation that will expand Indiana's school voucher system.

 "We don't believe that there's been sufficient time to study the impact of the existing voucher system," said Mark GiaQuinta, president of the Fort Wayne school board.

The rally was clearly smaller than the school choice rally conducted last week.  Then, former Pacer Jalen Rose was on stage and so was the governor.

This time the speakers lacked star power but organizers believe that's to their benefit. 

"No one bought us matching t-shirts or fancy backdrops or printed our signs," Marilyn Shank told the crowd.  "No basketball stars flew in on a jet.  We're ordinary Hoosiers who support public education." 

They think too much money is going to both private schools and the people who operate charter schools.

Wednesday there will be a hearing in state Senate committee on the bill to expand the voucher system. Its future is uncertain.