UPDATE: An urgent debate over accountability in education funding erupted at a town hall meeting in Moscow, Idaho, on Wednesday, addressing the newly passed House Bill 93. This legislation creates a $5,000 tax credit for families, intended to subsidize private education costs, including homeschooling, amidst ongoing concerns from public school advocates.
The meeting, hosted by the Mountain States Policy Center (MSPC), drew attention to the $50 million allocated by the Idaho Legislature. MSPC President Chris Cargill detailed how families can apply for the tax credit starting January 15. However, he emphasized that there are no performance requirements for schools receiving these funds, raising alarms about educational standards.
Parents benefiting from the tax credit must document their child’s academic progress. Cargill explained that families who choose non-accredited schooling must submit a “portfolio of evidence” demonstrating growth in core subjects such as science, math, and language arts. He confirmed that while private school transcripts count, evaluating growth for homeschooled children remains ambiguous.
During the meeting, Cargill warned parents about the risks of misuse, stating, “You cannot just take this money and go on a trip to Hawaii with it.” Families must provide receipts for expenses, as audits could lead to tax fraud charges for improper use of the funds. He noted that approximately 8,000 students are expected to participate in the program, which is exclusively available to Idaho residents not enrolled in public schools.
This contentious initiative has drawn fierce opposition from public education supporters, including the Moscow School District, which is part of a lawsuit challenging the legality of HB 93. Critics argue that the program violates the Idaho Constitution’s mandate for a “general, uniform and thorough system of public, free common schools.”
Cargill countered these claims by asserting that the tax credit constitutes a minor portion of the state’s education budget. He highlighted that the funds allocated for the tax credit are separate from public K-12 education expenditures. When questioned about Idaho’s ability to sustain this program amidst a $58 million budget deficit, he pointed to rising tax revenues, albeit alongside decreasing federal funding.
The tax credit program operates on a first-come, first-served basis, prioritizing families earning less than 300% of the federal poverty level. As this program gears up for implementation, the community remains divided, with many attendees at the meeting voicing their apprehensions about the implications for public education funding and accountability.
As the state prepares for the launch of this controversial tax credit, all eyes are on how families will navigate the requirements and the potential impact on Idaho’s educational landscape. Keep an eye out for further updates as this story develops.
