For Immediate Release
Contact Michael Schaus, 702-222-0642
LAS VEGAS — At a school choice open-house scheduled for Tuesday, February 9th, 2016, Pastor Ron Thomas of the Reconciliation Apostolic Ministries will proudly announce his support for Nevada’s Education Savings Accounts.
“There’s a lot of misinformation about the program,” Pastor Thomas told the Nevada Policy Research Institute. “And the truth is, there is a lot of opportunity for minority communities with ESAs.”
Thomas has been a pastor for the past 20 years, and is also an officer with the Las Vegas chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. Although the NAACP has not supported ESAs, Thomas said he personally felt it was important to speak out in support of the reform.
Sen. Scott Hammond, the author of SB302, will be featured, as will be a number of parents who have already enrolled in ESAs. According to Thomas, the evening open-house was conceived as a way to bring information about ESAs directly to parents, without any buffers.
Hosting an event to highlight the value of school choice is only the beginning for Thomas, who says he’s prepared to come out in full support of ESAs — despite the political forces pressuring him to remain silent.
“There are just a lot of special interests that have a lot of power in the community,” Thomas said. “But I refuse to have — and I believe I can say it this way — an unholy political alliance with anyone. When it comes to the education of our children, it should be focused on the children.”
“ESAs are about giving students opportunity. It’s not about politics,” Thomas said.
The Reconciliation Apostolic Ministries is partnering with the Conservative Alliance and the Nevada Policy Research Institute to bring information regarding school choice to communities that are especially poised to benefit from the reform.
The event, scheduled for 6:00pm Tuesday Evening, will be the first of many opportunities for the community to ask questions, and learn about the details of ESAs.
“The truth is, every parent deserves the chance to take control of their children’s education,” explained NPRI Communications Director, Michael Schaus. “A child’s education shouldn’t be determined by their zip-code, or their parent’s tax bracket. That’s why ESAs are so important to communities throughout Nevada.”
The event is open to the public, and will be located at 911 G Street, Las Vegas, 89106.
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