Community Concerns Over School Voucher Program in Idaho
Legislators, school administrators, educators, and concerned citizens gathered at a town hall meeting in Pocatello to discuss the implications of the new school voucher program in Idaho. The event was organized by Save Our Schools, a nonprofit group dedicated to supporting public education. The gathering took place on the Idaho State University campus, drawing around 200 attendees to the Wood River room of the Pond Student Union Building.
During the session, a panel of three speakers shared their perspectives on the potential consequences of the Idaho Parental Tax Credit, commonly known as the school voucher program. One of the panelists, Marcy Curr, a teacher at Pocatello High School, emphasized the negative economic, social, and academic effects of diverting funds from public schools to private or religious institutions.
Understanding the Idaho Parental Tax Credit
House Bill 93, signed into law by Governor Brad Little in late February, introduced the Idaho Parental Tax Credit. This legislation allocates $50 million in refundable tax credits of $5,000 per student, allowing parents to use the funds for tuition at private schools. Students with disabilities could receive up to $7,500 in grants.
Curr highlighted that the funding for this program is taken from the state’s budget before the legislative appropriations process begins. She compared this to having money withheld from a paycheck, which limits the amount available for essential expenses like groceries and bills.
“This means we’ll see a reduction in money available for our social programs, infrastructure, county programs, education, and even public safety,” Curr said.
Legislative Background and Public Reaction
The bill was co-sponsored by Rep. Wendy Horman and Senate Majority Leader Lori Den Hartog during the 2025 Legislative Session. It passed the Idaho House with a vote of 42-28 and the Senate with a vote of 20-15. President Donald Trump publicly supported the bill, stating on Truth Social, “$50 Million Dollars to empower parents to provide the very best Education for their child – GREAT news for Idaho families.”
Before signing the bill, Governor Little received thousands of calls and emails from residents. More than 86% of the over 37,000 people who contacted him urged him to veto the bill, while just over 5,000 supported its passage.
Financial Impacts on Public Schools
Another panelist, Bonneville School Superintendent Scott Woolstenhulme, explained the financial impact of the bill on his district. A 6% budget cut would result in a loss of approximately $6 million. If the $50 million allocated for the voucher program had been directed to public schools instead, it could have provided an additional $2 million for the district.
Advocates of the Idaho Parental Tax Credit argue that the program increases educational options for parents, often referred to as "school choice." Kelly Heil, a teacher at Hawthorne Middle School, pointed out that parents in eastern Idaho already have access to various educational choices, including open boundary policies, charter schools, homeschooling, and virtual learning academies.
However, Curr emphasized that private schools are not required to accept students with special needs or those who do not align with the school's religious, political, or socioeconomic expectations. In contrast, public schools serve all children in the community.
Long-Term Concerns
Woolstenhulme expressed concerns about the long-term effects of the voucher program, not only on Idaho but also on the United States. He warned that over time, the program could lead to the dissolution of the common system of schools that has served the country well for over a century.
Several legislators, including Rep. Rick Cheatum, Rep. Jim Guthrie, and Sen. James Ruchti, voiced their opposition to the bill. Cheatum noted that the legislation is more of a tax bill than an education bill, while Guthrie called it one of the most irresponsible pieces of legislation passed.
Ruchti suggested that if a large group of people worked together to support candidates who share their values, meaningful changes could be made.
Ongoing Debate
The debate over school vouchers continues to divide communities across Idaho. While some see the program as a way to empower parents and expand educational opportunities, others fear it will undermine the quality and equity of public education. As the implementation of the Idaho Parental Tax Credit moves forward, the long-term impacts on schools and students remain uncertain.