Mayor Michael Bloomberg hit a sour note by saying he’s not big on the idea of private school vouchers, at an education conference hosted by former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush.

New York parents have been given more choice among public and charter schools, Bloomberg said, but he said nothing about vouchers until asked during the question-and-answer period following his comments.

Bloomberg replied that he didn’t seek vouchers because it would be politically impossible to get approval from his state’s legislature and such a fight would distract from other efforts to improve the city’s schools.

“I’ve never been a big believer in vouchers,” Bloomberg added. He said that’s because “what invariably will happen with vouchers is those who are sending their kids to private schools already will take up most of the vouchers.”

He said government’s major job is to provide quality public schools because that’s where most children will go with or without vouchers.

(Source: Forbes)