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Average gov't school per-pupil expenditures are about $10k nationwide. Under a typical voucher program, parents are given vouchers worth half of that, or $5k/child.

A couple of problems with that. Kansas is a rural state, and the overwhelming majority of the school districts are rural districts with no private school alternatives available. Second problem, do you know what kind of income a couple has to have to result in a $5000 state income tax bill? Depending on deductions it's well over $110,000. So again, when the state is facing a deficit why would you subsidize private school tuition?

Second problem, do you know what kind of income a couple has to have to result in a $5000 state income tax bill?

Taxpayers NOW pay $10k/child in government schools.

Give that same parent $5k to use for a nongovernment school.

Savings to taxpayers: $5k/child.

Fixed costs complicate the issue, but the voucher can always be adjusted to result in a savings to taxpayers.

Regarding distance to schools, existing government schools could be sub-divided into government and nongovernmental schools. Schools could open in storefronts. Students could learn on-line.

Use your imagination. Yours are the arguments of the NEA.