luvhoops34
05-23-2007, 10:04 PM
High schools: House kills bill to put private schools in UIL
Web Posted: 05/23/2007 09:36 PM CDT
Dan McCarney
Express-News
A Senate-passed proposal that would have allowed private schools to join the state's public school league was one of dozens of bills that failed to receive approval from the House.
Tuesday's midnight deadline expired without any approval for SB 1943, which would have given private schools unprecedented access to the University Interscholastic League.
The Senate passed the measure 28-3 on April 27.
A chief promoter of the bill was prominent San Antonio religious leader John Hagee, founder of Cornerstone Christian Schools and a powerful force in state and local politics.
Public school officials staunchly oppose any blending of the two entities, citing concerns about potential recruiting and residency violations.
D.W. Rutledge, executive director of the Texas High School Coaches Association, said his organization sent out more than 37,000 e-mails in opposition to the bill.
"We feel like we've stopped a bill that was not good for public school and the children they serve," he said. "We feel like it's a victory for our kids."
Of those e-mails, Rutledge said, roughly 12,500 received responses. The THSCA then used ZIP codes to divide the responses into lists that were e-mailed to the corresponding representatives on a nightly basis.
"It's something we've put together to help our coaches fight issues we think are important," Rutledge said. "It at least lets the representatives know that there's some pretty strong opposition out there."
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dmccarney@express-news.net
Web Posted: 05/23/2007 09:36 PM CDT
Dan McCarney
Express-News
A Senate-passed proposal that would have allowed private schools to join the state's public school league was one of dozens of bills that failed to receive approval from the House.
Tuesday's midnight deadline expired without any approval for SB 1943, which would have given private schools unprecedented access to the University Interscholastic League.
The Senate passed the measure 28-3 on April 27.
A chief promoter of the bill was prominent San Antonio religious leader John Hagee, founder of Cornerstone Christian Schools and a powerful force in state and local politics.
Public school officials staunchly oppose any blending of the two entities, citing concerns about potential recruiting and residency violations.
D.W. Rutledge, executive director of the Texas High School Coaches Association, said his organization sent out more than 37,000 e-mails in opposition to the bill.
"We feel like we've stopped a bill that was not good for public school and the children they serve," he said. "We feel like it's a victory for our kids."
Of those e-mails, Rutledge said, roughly 12,500 received responses. The THSCA then used ZIP codes to divide the responses into lists that were e-mailed to the corresponding representatives on a nightly basis.
"It's something we've put together to help our coaches fight issues we think are important," Rutledge said. "It at least lets the representatives know that there's some pretty strong opposition out there."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
dmccarney@express-news.net