Save Our Schools town halls to focus on effects of public funding for private education

By Zach Hagadone
Reader Staff

The statewide nonprofit organization Save Our Schools will bring a series of town halls to North Idaho, inviting attendees to learn “about the harms” of House Bill 93, which lawmakers passed in 2024 to provide public support for private school tuition.

“There’s definitely been confusion and questions raised since Idaho passed the Idaho parental choice tax credit, otherwise known as a school voucher bill,” stated Jan Bayer, superintendent of Boundary School District. 

“As families head back to school, we want to provide an opportunity for community members to talk about how the bill will impact Idaho,” Bayer added. “Many people are interested in whether or not Idaho citizens believe in taxpayer subsidies for private schools, especially since there is little to no accountability for the funds at this point.”

Save Our Schools town halls will take place Thursday, Sept. 11 from 6:30-8 p.m. in the Sandpoint area at the Ponderay Events Center (401 Bonner Mall Way, in Ponderay), and Saturday, Sept. 13 from 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. in Priest River at the West Bonner County Library District (118 Main St.) and from 4-5:30 p.m. at Post Falls High School (2832 Poleline Road). 

The event will be moderated by educator and high school debate coach Marcy Curr and feature panelists Jan Bayer, Boundary County School District superintendent; education policy researcher Elizabeth Wargo; and Kim Keaton, of the Idaho Building Capacity Project and former Sandpoint Middle School principal.

Save Our Schools is made up of “veteran public school champions dedicated to providing information, data and education to the people of Idaho about ESAs, vouchers and similar policies aimed at dismantling our neighborhood schools,” according to saveourschoolsidaho.com.

The town halls are intended to show voters how similar programs in other states “have drained public school budgets, led to rising property taxes and harmed student outcomes — especially for rural communities,” organizers stated.

Legislators approved H.B. 93 and Gov. Brad Little signed it into law in the face of widespread public opposition to the bill, which channels $50 million in taxpayer money to provide families of students in private or religious schools with tuition and other financial support.

Proponents claimed the law, which went into effect July 1, would provide more educational choice and freedom, while opponents argued that the Idaho Constitution prohibits the use of public dollars to support private education.

Dist. 1 Sen. Jim Woodward, R-Sagle, and Dist. 1A Rep. Mark Sauter, R-Sandpoint, opposed H.B. 93, while Dist. 1B Rep. Cornel Rasor voted in favor. 

Shortly before Little signed the bill into law on Feb. 27, 73 public school superintendents wrote a letter to the governor telling him that they were “gravely concerned that privatizing education will, over time, erode the stability of our republic.”

They cited the Idaho Constitution’s injunction that the state provide for and support a system of “free, common, public schools” and pressed Little for a referendum to amend the Constitution, rather than signing H.B. 93. The Blaine Amendment to the Constitution explicitly bars the state from putting tax dollars toward religious schools.

“[W]e implore you to please keep your promise to Idaho taxpayers by vetoing House Bill 93 and demanding that the Legislature ensure fair, responsible, transparent and accountable use of public tax dollars,” the letter stated.

North Idaho superintendents, including Dr. Becky Meyer, of Lake Pend Oreille School District; Kim Spacek, of West Bonner County School District; and Bayer, of Boundary County School District, wrote in a separate letter in February that, “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. …

“Our schools serve every family, regardless of financial means,” the superintendents wrote. “But instead of strengthening our local public schools, H.B. 93 would divert critical resources away from them, putting our communities at risk.”

Both letters claimed H.B. 93 lacks accountability both for spending and with testing requirements for non-public schools.

Even Little had doubts about H.B. 93, telling reporters at an Idaho Press Club forum prior to signing the bill, “There’s not enough accountability in it.”

However, even President Donald Trump threw his support behind H.B. 93, writing Feb. 16 on Truth Social, “Congratulations to Governor Brad Little, and Idaho Legislators, who are fighting to bring School Choice to their beautiful State. $50 million Dollars to empower parents to provide the very best Education for their child — GREAT news for Idaho families. This Bill, which has my Complete and Total Support MUST PASS! [sic]”

In June — the last month of the fiscal year — Little announced that state revenue projections were $141.5 million lower than expected, with critics immediately pointing to $453 million in tax cuts passed in the 2025 Legislature, as well as the $50 million refundable tax credit for private school tuition, as major reasons for the decline in revenue.

In reaction to the shortfall, Little told state agencies to prepare for 3% budget cuts — including colleges and universities — though exempted K-12 schools.

“As an educator, my priority has always been making sure every child has the opportunity to succeed,” stated Post Falls School District Superintendent Dena Naccarato. 

“I respect a parent’s right to make the best choice for their family. And when taxpayer dollars are being redirected to private schools, we must also insist on fairness, accountability and transparency, which includes the same required testing and reporting,” Naccarato added. “Public schools open their doors to every child and answer to the community. Any program funded by the public should meet that same standard.”

For more information, visit saveourschoolsidaho.com.