These papers from the files of Kathryn Boucher, Executive Director of CAP, contain organizational and campaign materials in addition to newspaper clippings covering the two major state ballot proposals of the 1970's concerning public aid to non-public schools and students in the state of Michigan. The collection includes lists, bulletins, news releases, financial statements, mailings, workshop materials, papers from local coalitions, poll results and legal materials in addition to papers from the organization, United We Can, and a file containing "pro-parochiaid" materials. Also in the collection are notices and minutes of meetings for the years 1970-1972 and 1977-1978, and correspondence, 1970-1973, and 1977-1978. The 1970 correspondence record a variety of personal positions of Michigan Education Association members on the issue of parochiaid.
The Council About Parochiaid (also known as the Council of Organizations and Others for Education About Parochiaid, and the Council Against Parochiaid) is a non-profit coalition of organizations and individuals formed in 1970 with principal offices in Lansing. The Council About Parochiaid or CAP's primary activity has been to oppose the flow of public funds to private and parochial schools. As of 1978, membership in CAP included some thirty organizations and individuals. Among the former category are: the American Civil Liberties Union, the Anti-Defamation League, Americans United for Separation of Church and State, The League of Women Voters of Michigan, Michigan Alliance of Black Educators, Michigan Association of School Boards, Michigan Education Association, Michigan Federation of Teachers, and the United Methodist Church.
After the Michigan State Legislature adopted a measure permitting the flow of public funds to non-public schools in 1969, CAP planned and coordinated a statewide initiative petition and political campaign seeking passage of a constitutional amendment to prohibit public aid to non-public schools and students. The proposed amendment appeared on the 1970 ballot as Proposal C. In that year Michigan voters rejected public tax support for church-related and other non-public schools through the passage of Proposal C.
Though continuing to hold meetings, CAP remained relatively dormant until 1978 when the Citizens for More Sensible Financing of Education (CSF) organized an initiative petition placing a voucher plan, Proposal H, on the ballot. Because this measure would shift local property taxes for the operation of schools and other educational purposes to the state personal income tax and/or single business tax, and require the distribution of educational vouchers to support the attendance of each pupil at the public or non-public school of the parent's or guardian's choice, CAP viewed Proposal H as a pro-parochiaid measure. CAP-78, the political action arm and state ballot committee to oppose the voucher plan amendment unsuccessfully sought the disqualification of the petitions through the State Supreme Court, and then organized a successful campaign to defeat Proposal H on the ballot.
