Special needs kids aim of plan

Legislators push tax-credit proposal

A group of Democratic and Republican lawmakers pushed Tuesday for a tax credit for the parents of special needs children that gives them the option of placing them in private schools with appropriate services.

House Minority Leader Paul Stam, an Apex Republican, called the legislation a "win-win situation" at a news conference Tuesday. He and the other advocates say it would cost the state about $2.5 million in credits but save counties about $6 million in educational expenses.

"The public schools lose nothing from this bill," Stam said. "They will have more money for fewer students."

The conference also featured a Charlotte couple who said their 7-year-old son would greatly benefit from the tax credit because the public school system has not been able to adequately provide for his needs.

Brandon Petruk has a condition that renders him nearly incapable of speech and unable to be comfortable among large groups of children, said his parents, Leslie and Trevor Petruk. They said the Charlotte-Mecklenburg schools still placed him in a full classroom with teachers who did not use sign language. His skills regressed, the Petruks said.

"It was horrible," Leslie Petruk said.

The credit would be worth $6,000 per child each school year. The legislation also would allow counties to pay private schools to educate a qualified special needs student at up to $500 per child a year.

Leslie Petruk said the tax credit would help make it affordable to move Brandon into a private school that specializes in teaching children with disabilities.

Stam said only those children with moderate to severe disabilities would be eligible. He estimated the parents of roughly 10,000 children would eventually take part. Arizona and Florida have similar programs, he said.

The bill has not been taken up by either chamber's finance committee. Supporters did not discuss any opposition to the legislation, but they tried to quell one concern -- that it would open the door to vouchers for parents to move their kids from public to private schools.

"I must reiterate that this is in no way an attempt to get the nose of the camel under the tent for vouchers," said Rep. Marvin Lucas, a Cumberland County Democrat.