Save Our Schools Recap

On Tuesday, June 3rd, Save Our Schools Idaho Inc. held a “Should your tax dollars go to private schools?” town hall event. 

While this issue is very polarizing, I am conflicted and do not have a strong opinion either way. I went with an open mind, hoping to learn more. Unfortunately, the discussion was not to inform attendees, it was to politically bash our local State representatives who voted for HB93.

Chenele Dixon, former State Representative (24), moderated and lent her “expertise” to the situation.  Before she handed it over to the panelists, she had to remind everyone that Idaho is respectful, and the audience should not shout or yell out.  She recognized that Idaho Senator Dave Lent from District 33 and Idaho Representative Lance Clow from District 25 were both in attendance.  Before she introduced the panelists, the former Representative turned lobbyist explained the history of HB93 and proceeded to “inform” all of us that during testimony, the bill was opposed 20 to 1, and the emails and phone calls to legislators were easily 20 to 1, also.  She stated that 73 superintendents signed in opposition to the bill; as well as 37,000 Idahoan’s called Governor Little regarding HB93 and 86% of those did not want him to sign it.  I would like to see those numbers in an official document, instead of just taking Dixon’s word.

The evening’s three panelists were Chris Ahlm, the Kimberly High School librarian, Luke Schroeder, the Kimberly School District Superintendent, and Blanca Romero, a Blaine County school board trustee.  As each of them introduced themselves, Mr. Schroder made a point to say that anything he said was not the viewpoint of KSD, but he was exercising his 1^st amendment right to voice his own opinions.

The bulk of the evening’s events consisted of the panelists speaking about how “vouchers” in other states have been abused, how strip mall schools have taken money from parents and then “closed up” and left the public schools to take in the students with no funding, how private schools don’t have to do background checks on staff, and how private schools will “raise” tuition to match the voucher.  As I stated earlier, I went to get information, but even I can rebut most of these.  Unfortunately, financial abuse is going to happen, I’m sure it happens in public schools also.  Idaho passed a tax credit, not a “voucher” system, that is taken at the end of the year, not given to schools so tuition will be raised to match.  If any “fly by night” school does take money from the parents and the kids come back to public school, the tax credit states that it is not available to any student who uses public education.  The parents would be out the money, ensuring it is in their best interest to fully vet any school that they give money to and entrust with their children’s education.

The rest of the time was spent complaining about everyone who approved HB93, from the Governor to our local representatives who took “dark money” from entities that want to privatize education.  They even went as far as to post the pictures of our representatives from District 24 and 25, pointing out that Rep. Clow was the only one who did not vote for HB93.  Luke Schroder even took the time to complain about our MVLA legislators because they voted against education, health, water rights and even roads.  

One last thing, as I stated earlier, Governor Little did sign HB93 was given a pass by the panelists because he was pressured by President Trump to sign it in a tweet!  I can’t even make this stuff up… Little was bullied by Trump in a tweet, LOL!

Save Our School Idaho is twisting the truth to fit their narrative.  Whichever side you support on this topic, or don’t know enough to decide, please do your own research and seek out the truth.