Little Rock, AR- After Gov. Sanders signed the Arkansas Learns ACT into effect in ealry March, Arkansans are speaking their concern.
An organization named Citizens for Arkansas Public Education and Students or CAPES is trying to repeal the act.
They are doing it through a referendum, putting the law in the voters hands.
Steven Grappe, Executive Director of CAPES has recently orgaized multiple town hall meetings, to learn what the citizens opinions are.
In order to go through with a referendum CAPES would have to come up with 55,000 signatures or 6% of the voters signatures.
Grappe told me that it’s not going ot be easy, but there going to do it.
Grappe stated that most concerns stem from the voucher program, which would use state funding to allow public school students to enroll at private and charter schools.
It’s said to help schools, but CAPES disagree.
Grappe said that this would hurt small public schools, adding the teachers and admistators, making it harder for students to graduate.
“I am extremely excited about what LEARNS means for the long-term impact of our state,” Gov. Sanders said. “I think it is going to bring transformational change, and I do not think it’s going anywhere.”
Grappe said CAPES filed a statement of organization with the Arkansas Ethics Commission and submitted their ballot title to Attorney General Tim Griffin’s office on Monday.
The attorney general has 10 business days to review the title of the petition and either approve it or send it back.
CAPES is ready for wahtever may be coming towards them.