YES to Choice! NO to Vouchers!

School voucher programs, which seek to divert public funds for private schooling, is a fundamental threat to the well-being of our public school system. Opposing school vouchers is not just an educational issue, but an ethical one that directly impacts all of Idaho’s citizens.

Idaho currently ranks at the bottom, 50th out of 50 states, in per pupil funding for education. This dire lack of funding severely impacts the quality of education students receive. Introducing school vouchers would divert already scarce public funds towards unregulated private schools. 

Idaho's public school teachers face significant financial challenges, earning less than their counterparts in five out of the six states that border Idaho. This disparity makes it difficult to attract and retain talented educators, exacerbating the state's educational challenges. Rather than addressing these fundamental issues of underfunding and low teacher salaries, school vouchers will siphon off resources that should be invested in improving public education infrastructure and supporting teachers.

Governor Little has said that there will be regulations with vouchers. However, the administrative and regulatory costs associated with implementing a voucher system in Idaho would be exorbitant. The state would need to create and maintain mechanisms to oversee the distribution of funds, ensure accountability, and prevent misuse of public money. These costs would be an unnecessary burden on taxpayers, especially when existing public schools already offer robust educational choices through various programs and charter schools. Idaho is extremely supportive of charter schools and homeschool programs, making a voucher program an unnecessary waste of money and resources to offer choice to Idaho citizens.

Ethically, the proposal to implement school vouchers raises serious concerns about the separation of church and state. Idaho has a strong tradition of public schools that are secular and inclusive of all students, regardless of religious background. Channeling public funds into private, often religiously-affiliated schools, blurs this crucial boundary, and potentially compromises the principle of religious neutrality in public education. The only argument for a voucher system that makes any logical sense is to imbed religion into education. This is in conflict with the first amendment and something the writers of the constitution would clearly oppose. As Thomas Jefferson said, there should be “a wall of separation between church and state.”

Idaho's public school system already provides ample choice through its diverse array of educational options. Funding private schools through vouchers is unnecessary and would only serve to further strain an already underfunded public education system. Furthermore, a vote for school vouchers is a vote for Boise, as the majority of private schools are in Ada County. Rural communities (75% of Idaho’s districts) would see little value in the program, but would suffer the consequences of lowered funding. State-funded private school tuition programs are especially harmful to rural communities and force rural taxpayers to subsidize families in Boise to pay for private school tuition. In fact, research from other states who have used vouchers shows that the majority of those who use vouchers were already in a private school prior to a voucher system and have never attended public school. 

Yes, Governor Little has promised $83 million to increase teacher salaries, but why shouldn’t that number be $133 million? Instead of funding a voucher program, policymakers should focus on adequately funding public schools, improving Idaho teacher salaries, and ensuring access to quality education for ALL students in Idaho.

Oppose school vouchers in Idaho and ensure a promising future for our public schools. Please sign this petition. For more information on the impact of school vouchers, click here to READ THE FACTS. 

Let your legislator know how you feel about vouchers by CONTACTING them today!