Feb 24 2025 93 mins
On this episode with Neal and Julie, the conversation dives into the contentious debate over HB 93 and the broader issues of parental choice in education in Idaho. They discuss how a $50 million tax credit—if signed by the governor—would work in practice, noting that while it wouldn’t shift day-to-day operations in public K–12 schools, it could slightly improve student-to-teacher ratios by easing enrollment pressures. The hosts compare the costs of private versus public schooling, revealing that despite perceptions of private schools being prohibitively expensive, the average annual cost for private education in Idaho is around $8,500—only slightly less than public school spending per student.
The discussion turns to fairness and accountability: if public funds help a child transition from a public to a private or religious school, the state loses funding tied to that student's attendance, raising questions about whether such transfers are equitable. Neal and Julie also explore the concerns of mixing tax dollars with religious education, emphasizing that while parental choice is fundamental, taxpayers shouldn’t be subsidizing private institutions that can select their students or further religious agendas.
They reference insights from various stakeholders—including superintendents and Doctor Jeffrey Thomas from Save Our Schools—highlighting that while critics argue that public schools bear the burden of educating students with higher needs, the overall impact of this tax credit is limited to a small fraction of Idaho’s student population. Ultimately, the conversation acknowledges that an education savings account model might offer a more legally defensible way to expand educational choices without compromising public funding integrity.
This episode offers a thoughtful, nuanced look at how policy proposals like HB 93 could reshape educational funding and choice, inviting listeners to consider the balance between supporting parental choice and protecting the public education system.
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