Grand Canyon Times

Arizona Board of Education Member Jenny Clark said today that she and her group, Love Your School, are “here to advance and defend education freedom from Governors who think hard working Americans should be punished if they get a raise and their kids should be kicked off scholarships!”

Clark posted her statement on X in response to Gov. Katie Hobbs’ proposal to instill an income cap of $200,000 for families using the state’s Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) program.

“Kids don’t have an income,” said Clark. “Education policies should be child-focused. Period. ESA is just that.”

83,032 students in Arizona received an ESA as of November 18, 2024, according to the Arizona Department of Education. 

Arizona's Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) program allows parents to use public funds allocated for their child's education to pay for approved educational expenses. These expenses include private school tuition, homeschooling costs, online learning programs, tutoring, and other education-related services and materials.

The ESA program is available to Arizona students who meet specific eligibility requirements, such as students with disabilities, those attending failing schools, children of active-duty military members, and other qualifying categories. The program is managed by the Arizona Department of Education.

Funds for the ESA program are deposited into accounts managed by parents, who are required to use them for pre-approved educational purposes. The amount allocated to each student is based on a percentage of the funding the state would have provided for that student in a public school setting.

Hobbs’ proposal to do away with ESA’s for families making more than $200,000 would have a major impact on families in the Phoenix area. 

In Phoenix, Mesa, Chandler, and Scottsdale, it takes an annual household salary of $238,500 for a family of four “to sustain comfortable living standards,” reported AZCentral.com in March 2023. 

In Gilbert and Glendale, that salary is a bit higher, at $239,400. 

Under Hobbs’ proposal, families making that much would not be allowed to participate in Arizona’s ESA program.

Operating in Arizona, West Virginia, and Alabama, Clark's non-profit, Love Your School, assists families in finding educational environments that align with their values and needs, offering guidance on school searches, special education evaluations and parental rights.

Clark, an Arizona native and mother of five, founded Love Your School in 2019. 

Beyond her advocacy through Love Your School, Clark's influence extends to various educational initiatives. Her efforts have earned recognition, including a commendation from Arizona Governor Doug Ducey and fellowships with organizations like 50CAN and Club For Growth. She has been a member of the Arizona Board of Education since 2022.