Rory Reid attacks Sandoval over school vouchers

Rory Reid's campaign Friday accused Brian Sandoval of flip-flopping and released a newspaper clip that showed the Republican gubernatorial nominee, who supports vouchers, opposed them as a state Assembly candidate 16 years ago.

"I would oppose a voucher system to the extent it would allow taxpayer money to be diverted to private schools," Sandoval told a Reno newspaper in July 1994.

He also opposed open enrollment at public schools, saying it "may unfairly penalize parents who are unable to provide transportation."

"Maybe Brian Sandoval forgot that a voucher system does exactly that - divert taxpayer money to private schools," Reid's campaign said in a statement.

Sandoval acknowledged a change of heart, but said times have changed.

"The educational system in Nevada is failing our kids. Things have gotten progressively worse in the last 16 years," he said.

"Tinkering with the system just won't work. Ending teacher tenure, stopping social promotion, instituting merit pay and giving parents complete freedom of choice as to the school their child attends will shake up the system."

Reid, the Democratic candidate in the Nevada governor's race, and Sandoval have made education reform a key issue in their campaigns. During a debate last month focusing on education, both advocated giving parents more choice in deciding where their children attend school.

Sandoval said his plan "includes private schools." He argued too many private schools have long waiting lists, and that making them an option with taxpayer assistance would create competition and lead to improvements at all schools.

Reid countered Sandoval's plan would benefit only 4 percent of Nevada students, while taking money from poorer schools and punishing students who can't afford the difference between the state allotment and total private tuition cost.

"Brian's plan gives choice to a limited number of students," he said. "My plan gives choice to all students," he said.