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Voucher bill awaits fill House vote
Eric Johnson Office 2
Sen. Eric Johnson works in his office in Atlanta. - photo by Courier file photo
A bill that would give vouchers to parents of special needs students squeaked its way out of a key Georgia House committee last week.
Senate Bill 10, the Georgia Special Needs Scholarship Act, cleared the House Education Committee by a 12 to 9 vote Thursday after receiving support from House Speaker Glenn Richardson (R-Hiram) and Speaker Pro Tempore Mark Burkhalter (R-Alpharetta).
The bill, sponsored by Senate President Pro Tempore Eric Johnson (R-Savannah), now awaits a full House vote expected to come later this week.
Modeled after Florida’s McKay Scholarships for Students with Disabilities Program, SB 10 would allow parents of children with physical, emotional or developmental disabilities in public schools to apply for scholarships equal to the state funding for their child’s special education and use it for any other participating public or private school they believe better serves their child’s needs.
Johnson estimates more than 4,000 children will use the vouchers, which should average $9,000 per student, in the first year of availability.
Parents of special needs children throughout the state have championed the bill, but critics fear children could lose protections under the federal Individuals with Disabilities Act and vouchers would not go to the low-income families most in need of the help.
Johnson has continued to call these criticisms unfounded and said the program will do more good than harm for students.
He pointed to improved student achievement in the Florida program due to smaller class sizes, lower discipline problems and higher self-esteem.
“Florida has proven that this program works,” the senator said. “Georgia needs to allow this option for our special needs children.”
Johnson said the goal of the measure is to create more access.
“We want to ensure that every disabled child, regardless of wealth or circumstances, has the opportunity to receive the very best education available,” he said.
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Community gets a rare snow day
Snow Day 1

City of Hinesville and Liberty County offices are closed today, and the Liberty County School System is undergoing a day of virtual learning after a winter storm hit southeast Georgia.

Coastal Georgia was inundated with one of the biggest snowfalls in recorded history as forecasters called for 4-6 inches of snow to fall Tuesday night and Wednesday morning. Initial reports Wednesday morning indicate at least 2 inches fell on Hinesville. 

 Sean Hafer and his family took advantage of the quiet roads and still Wednesday morning to enjoy the snow at Bradwell Park. He’s lived in Hinesville for almost 12 years and recalled the snow storm of 2018. But that snow was “not this deep,” he said. “It’s been a while. 

“I don’t think many people went to work to- day,” Hafer said. “You think people would be out in it having fun, but I guess they’re scared to drive in it. It’s fun when you don’t get it around here.” 

Hafer said he was curious to see how much snow was going to fall. 

“They did well on this,” he said of the meteorologists. “They were accurate. They earned their pay on this one.” 

The City of Hinesville declared a state of emergency Tuesday in advance of the storm and residents are encouraged to avoid unnecessary travel due to potential severe weather conditions. Melting snow and ice can refreeze overnight, making roads dangerous. 

 Liberty County offices will remain closed until Friday. Liberty County School System students are having virtual learning Thursday. 

 While daytime highs will be more temperate, overnight lows for the next few days are expected to remain well below freezing. The City of Hinesville encourag- es residents to drip their faucets overnight, insulate exposed pipes and to let warm air circulate around pipes by opening cabinet doors under sinks, especially those near exterior walls. 

The city also is reporting no power outages and all traffic lights are operational. Since most businesses are closed, traffic is minimal and residents are urged not to travel unless necessary.

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