25 years ago: Local school officials speak out against education vouchers

From the Lawrence Daily Journal-World for Nov. 13, 1985:

  • Local education officials spoke out against a proposal made by U.S. Secretary of Education William Bennett to give vouchers to disadvantaged children to attend any public or private school. Bennett claimed that the vouchers would not only improve opportunities for poor students, but would also spur “a healthy rivalry” among public and private schools. Local Supt. Dan Neuenswander said that he didn’t believe such a rivalry would improve education.
  • Floyd Gaunt, a retired Kansas Bureau of Investigation agent, participated in a program organized by the Lawrence Chamber of Commerce. Gaunt, playing the part of a shoplifter, walked in and out of 16 Lawrence businesses, accumulating nearly $2,000 worth of items (all of which were later returned to the store owners). The intention of the program was to help cut down on shoplifting by teaching store personnel to be more vigilant.