To the editor:

I am surprised and saddened by some statements made by private school administrators concerning their lack of resources to meet the needs of students with disabilities. (Voucher, charter school proposals vex moderates, Nov. 9.)

As a Christian and as one who has spent the better part of his life working with persons with a myriad of disabling conditions, including 17 years as a Kansas junior and senior high school special education teacher in public schools, it seems to me that those in control of private schools need to take a look at their policies and philosophy of education to determine whether or not they are truly practicing the inclusiveness taught in the New Testament.

The Gospels are replete with examples showing that the love of Jesus extends to all. For example, John 5: 1-15. Verse five talks about the people at the pool of Bethesda. “Here a great number of disabled people used to lie – the blind, the lame, the paralyzed.” Jesus healed one man who had been an invalid for 38 years. He did not exclude him from his ministry.

Although I am not necessarily opposed to the idea of school vouchers, if private schools are to receive public monies they must include student diversity in their student body and not only those clearly bound for college.

Perhaps voucher legislation should include provisions tying the receipt of public monies to a requirement that such schools include students with disabilities in their educational programs. To do any less diminishes not only the wisdom of a voucher system but the commitment of private schools to Christian beliefs.

Milt Jorgensen,

Winchester