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California private preschools split over Proposition 82

Apparently not all private preschools are enamored with Proposition 82:

Some Montessori schools fear Proposition 82, dubbed the Preschool for All Act, would lead to state standards that could compromise their teaching methods and mixed-age classrooms. Faith-based preschools say they would be at a competitive disadvantage because the measure wouldn’t fund schools that offer religious instruction. Others worry a requirement that teachers earn a bachelor’s degree would drive them out of business.

“I am going to vote no, and I am very much in favor of universal preschool,” said Bonnie Mathisen, director of Discovery Children’s House, a Montessori school in Palo Alto. “I just feel that Prop. 82 is not the right way to go about it. When you get down to the nitty-gritty, a lot of preschools will be left out.”

Others are taking sides: Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and former California Senate President Pro Tem John Burton came out against Proposition 82 this week — Schwarzenegger because of how it’s funded and Burton because he believes it wouldn’t do enough to help the poorest Californians. Democratic gubernatorial candidates Phil Angelides and Steve Westly endorsed it.

Many early childhood educators also favor the measure, which was spearheaded by Hollywood director Rob Reiner.

Wait…wasn’t Rob Reiner the one who stepped down from an education commission over alleged improprieties related to Proposition 82?  That’s what we thought–only the article, well, failed to mention it.  How odd!  Maybe it would have been included if the paper in question was the Palm Beach Post and the story was, you know, connected to vouchers or something…