The big picture: The town halls come on the heels of a disastrous legislative session for Idaho public schools, culminating in the state’s first voucher scheme. The Idaho Legislature set aside $50 million for tax credits to help parents pay for private schools, but key lawmakers began talking about expanding the program immediately after its passage.
• Community members showed up for town halls in Kuna, Meridian, and Eagle.
• IEA members served as panelists and moderators at the events. Legislators who voted for and against vouchers were also invited to speak, including Rep. Shawn Dygert (R-Melba), who voted for vouchers, and Sen. Treg Bernt (R-Meridian) (pictured above) and Rep. James Petzke (R-Meridian), who voted against.
What they said: The town hall crowds were obviously anti-voucher, with many expressing concerns over the chronic underfunding of education — especially for rural districts and special education.
• “This is a real deal, and it is going to devastate us unless we stand together and say, ‘No,’” said panelist Mike Vuittonet, former trustee in the West Ada School District.
• Rep. Dygert faced many tough questions about his vote, which he has publicly admitted was a compromise on his part. But he is already anticipating what will need to be done to repeal the program. “We’re going to have to have something that comes up that says, ‘This is not working,’” he said. “And then we’re going to change it.”
What’s next: Another Treasure Valley town hall — moderated by IEA member Rep. Soñia Galaviz (D-Boise) — will take place in West Boise on May 7.
