After more than four decades in education, I’ve learned that most disagreements in Idaho classrooms and communities start from the same place: we all want what’s best for our families. The difference is in how we think we’ll achieve that.

That’s why I make a point to listen to all sides. I believe there’s value in hearing the ideas being discussed, especially when they’re about the future of education in our state. This week’s recent town hall from “Idaho Kids Win” held in Pocatello mapped out one perspective on House Bill 93—the state’s new program that uses public tax dollars for private school tuition. It’s the opposite opinion from the robust discussion with Save Our Schools Idaho.

After digging into information from both sides, I’ve also grown increasingly uneasy about what House Bill 93 really means for Idaho students. On the surface, it sounds appealing. It promises “choice” and “freedom” for families. Those are powerful words in Idaho, and they resonate with all of us. But let’s look a little deeper. Choice already exists in our state. Idaho families can choose from neighborhood schools, magnet programs, online options, charters, and homeschooling. What this new program does is something different; it diverts taxpayer money into private institutions that aren’t held to the same standards of accountability, transparency, or equity as our public schools.

I also worry about where this publicly funded credit could ultimately lead. Without guardrails, taxpayer dollars may support schools that openly discriminate in their admissions based on race, religion, disability status, or academic ability, practices that are illegal in public schools. It could also subsidize programs that teach curriculum far outside Idaho values, including content that undermines core American principles such as democratic governance and civic responsibility. Idahoans deserve confidence that their tax dollars reinforce, not erode, these shared commitments.

As a superintendent in a rural community, I understand that students learn in different ways and that no two families have the same needs. I see every day how teachers and parents work together to find solutions that fit each child. But I also know the importance of fairness. HB 93 will spend $50 million in taxpayer funds to benefit a very small number of students, mostly those who already have access to private education. For a state facing an unconstitutional $56.6 million budget shortfall, that’s a tremendous cost for such limited reach.

Public education is built on a promise: that every child, in every corner of Idaho, deserves a high-quality education supported by their community. That promise is only as strong as the resources we invest in it. When we pull funding away from public schools, we weaken the foundation that serves more than 94 percent of our students.

As the legislative session approaches, I urge Idahoans to stay vigilant. Watch how your elected officials vote and where they choose to prioritize education. Make your opinions known—demand transparency,

accountability, and child-first thinking in how our state spends education dollars. Tell your lawmakers you want a cap on this $50 million program and that you expect public schools to remain a top priority.

Our students deserve nothing less.