Originally posted on IdahoEdNews.org
North Idaho takes pride in our public schools, our communities, and our ability to make decisions that reflect Idaho’s values—not the interests of out-of-state billionaires looking to reshape our education system. That is why we urge you, Gov. Brad Little, to veto House Bill 93, a bill that does not meet the standards of fairness, responsibility, transparency, and accountability that you set forth in your State of the State address.
Lack of Accountability: A risk to taxpayer dollars
Governor, you promised that any school choice program must be fair, responsible, transparent, and accountable. Yet, House Bill 93 falls short on every one of these principles.
- No Testing Requirements: Unlike public schools, which must adhere to standardized testing and curriculum accountability, HB 93 would allow private schools to receive taxpayer funds without proving student progress. Idaho families need to know if their tax dollars are actually help students succeed.
- No Financial Oversight: Public schools are required to report every dollar spent, ensuring taxpayer funds are used responsibly. HB 93 has no such financial disclosures, leaving Idaho taxpayers vulnerable to fraud and waste. Other states have seen “pop-up” private schools take public money and then collapse, leaving families stranded. Idahoans deserve financial safeguards to ensure their tax dollars aren’t wasted.
- No Protections for Students and Families: Public schools are required to serve all students, regardless of income, disability, or background. HB 93 does not prevent private schools from discriminating, meaning state-funded schools could refuse to serve children with disabilities, religious differences, or beliefs.
Public education is the backbone of North Idaho. Our schools serve every family, regardless of financial means. But instead of strengthening our local public schools, HB 93 would divert critical resources away from them, putting our communities at risk.
- Teacher Shortages: Schools across North Idaho already struggle to recruit and retain teachers due noncompetitive wages and funding gaps. Diverting state funds to unregulated private programs only deepens this crisis.
- School Closures in Rural Areas: Unlike urban centers, many North Idaho communities don’t have private school options. Taking money from public schools disproportionately hurts rural students, who rely on their local schools for education, community, and opportunity.
- Ignoring Local Voters: The push for HB 93 is fueled by out-of-state special interests, not Idaho parents. These groups will target legislators who stood against this bill with dark money campaigns, attempting to reshape Idaho’s education system without input from the people who actually live here.
Governor, you have built your reputation on championing public education. Under your leadership, Idaho has made historic investments in schools, increased teacher salaries, and expanded student opportunities. Signing HB 93 would undo much of that progress, handing taxpayer dollars to private institutions with no accountability.
You have rightly said that it would be hypocritical to demand accountability from public schools while giving money to private schools with no oversight. Now is the time to stand by your word. If school choice is to be expanded, it must be done the right way—the Idaho way:
Require standardized testing so parents and taxpayers can measure student learning outcomes.
Mandate financial disclosures to prevent fraud and ensure responsible spending of taxpayer dollars.
Enforce ethical standards for educators receiving public money.
Guarantee non-discrimination policies so every Idaho child has access to education, regardless of background.
Conduct independent evaluations every five years to ensure programs are delivering real results.
Governor Little, we are not asking for special treatment. We are asking for fairness. If public schools must meet high standards of accountability and transparency, then all institutions receiving public tax dollars must meet the same standard.
We urge you to honor your commitment and veto House Bill 93. Demand a solution that upholds Idaho’s values of responsibility and fiscal integrity — not an unchecked, unregulated system that benefits a select few at the expense of the majority.
Idaho’s future depends on the strength of its education system. Let’s make sure it remains strong, accountable, transparent and truly serves all Idaho families of whom you have been elected to serve.
Signed by North Idaho superintendents:
Dena Naccarato, Post Falls
Jan Bayer, Boundary County
Kim Spacek, West Bonner County
Lance Pearson, Kellogg
Lisa Arnold, Lakeland
Tara Lere, Plummer-Worley
Les Wells, Mullan
Megan Sindt, Avery
Scott Davis, Kootenai
Shon Hocker, Coeur d’Alene
Todd Howard, Wallace
Teresa Rensch, St. Maries
Becky Meyer, Lake Pend Oreille
David Aiken, Lapwai
Jason Hunter, Orofino
Janey Avery, Potlatch
Joshua Hardy, Whitepine
Steven Kirkland, Kendrick
Jon Rehder, Cottonwood
Shawn Tiegs, Moscow
Wendy Moore, Genesee
Klaire Vogt, Troy
Lance Hansen, Lewiston