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We believe public education is a true public good that transforms lives and creates a more just and inclusive society making it an indispensable cornerstone of our American democratic republic. Together, we defend the teaching profession and believe public education is strengthened when educators are respected for their contributions to our state and its families.
The best argument for public education in Idaho is the good, simple truth of what happens in our members’ classrooms each and every day.
Layne McInelly,
IEA President and Public School Educator
Recent news headlines are telling: Idaho’s Legislature chose tax cuts for the wealthy and private school vouchers over investing in the schools our kids rely on.
Now, the state is facing a $56 million budget deficit—after lawmakers cut more than $450 million in revenue last session and voted to pay $50 million for vouchers. Meanwhile, students with disabilities still can’t access parts of their schools, and most districts received only enough funding to make minimal repairs.
This isn’t a surprise—it’s the predictable result of years of misplaced priorities. Idaho families deserve a Legislature that funds strong, safe, and equitable public schools—not one that undermines them.
Because every child deserves a great public school in their community.
Because May 2026 Matters.
🗳️ Join us in building a better future for Idaho’s students → https://idahoea.org/may-matters/ (clickable link is in our bio)
Why wait in line on Election Day when you can vote from your couch?
Request your absentee ballot today at the link in our bio.
— it only takes a few minutes.
🗳️ Request deadline: October 24
🗓️ Election Day: November 4
🔥 “We’re not here to fight back — we’re here to fight forward.”
In the latest episode of the IEA Reporter Podcast, we sit down with Lindsey Smith, Idaho’s newly elected representative on the NEA Board of Directors, to talk about courage, service, and the future of public education.
🎧 Listen now by clicking the link in our bio.
#PublicEducation #UnionStrong #IEAReporterPodcast #IdahoEA
@NEAToday
Do Idahoans support vouchers or taxpayer funding for religious or private education?
"School vouchers, whatever they are called, are actually unpopular with Idahoans. The 32,336 pleas that Gov. Brad Little received from the public this year to veto the voucher subsidy legislation speaks volumes. Idahoans can take heart because the current lawsuit, if successful, will preserve the integrity of our public school system."
Read more of a recent voucher lawsuit op-ed from Jim Jones, former Idaho Attorney General and Justice of the Idaho Supreme Court: https://bit.ly/3Koqqvd (link in bio)
#IDLeg #IDPol #IdahoEA
🥊 Today, IEA took the fight over private school vouchers to the Idaho Supreme Court.
The Idaho Education Association — along with a coalition of petitioners and supporters, including IEA Board of Directors member Marta Hernandez — filed a lawsuit asking the court to rule the state’s new private school voucher program illegal on constitutional grounds.
The premise behind the litigation is simple: the Idaho Constitution requires the Legislature to “establish and maintain a general, uniform and thorough system of public free common schools.” Vouchers create a parallel, taxpayer-funded system that is neither general, nor uniform, nor thorough, nor free.
As IEA members already know, the private school voucher program is unfair, unsafe and unconstitutional. We are hopeful and confident the Idaho Supreme Court will agree.
This legal challenge isn’t just about striking down one bad law. It’s about defending the very foundation of public education in Idaho. It’s about protecting every student’s right to attend a strong neighborhood school, regardless of ZIP code, family income or background.
It’s about showing lawmakers that when they attempt to undermine our schools, educators and others who value and respect public education will not sit silently — we will act.
📽️ Watch the press conference at the link in our bio.
#IdahoEA #IdahoVoucherLawsuit #IDPol #IDLeg
🎥 WATCH: PRESS CONFERENCE AT 11 a.m.
Stream on IEA YouTube: https://youtube.com/live/R2MqQMN6vRo?feature=share (Clickable link is in our bio)
An alliance of pro-public education organizations and individuals committed to defending Idahoans against unconstitutional overreach will speak at a press conference about private education voucher subsidies in Idaho.
#IdahoEA #IDPol #IDLeg #IdahoVouchers
⏰ MEDIA ADVISORY
On Wednesday, Sept. 17, join an alliance of pro-public education organizations and individuals committed to defending Idahoans against unconstitutional overreach for a press conference about private education voucher subsidies in Idaho.
The event begins at 11 a.m., in the Lincoln Auditorium at the Idaho Statehouse.
Who: An alliance of pro-public education organizations and individuals committed to defending Idahoans against unconstitutional overreach
What: Joint press conference related to voucher subsidies in Idaho
When: 11 a.m., Wednesday, Sept. 17
Where: Lincoln Auditorium, Idaho State Capitol
****This event will be live streamed on the Idaho Education Association’s YouTube channel.
#IdahoEA #IdahoVouchers #IDPol #IDLeg
