Idaho State President, Jamie Braithwaite, joined the community conversation at the Save Our Schools Idaho Town Hall Meeting.
Read Idaho PTA Event Notes below for more information:
Idaho PTA Opening Statement
Good evening. I’m Jamie Braithwaite. I have lived in Idaho Falls for over 10yrs. I have 7 children that are in (or graduated) from the Idaho Falls public school system. I am serving as the President of the Idaho State PTA.
The Idaho Congress of Parents & Teachers -Idaho PTA celebrates 120 years of existence to make every child’s potential a reality by engaging and empowering families and communities to advocate for all children.
In 1905, mothers from all over Idaho gathered in Boise (from Idaho Falls & North Coeur D'Alene) to advocate for all children! And we are still doing that today. 94% of Idaho kids are in Idaho public school options. We want every child to succeed and that is why we are here: To help support Idaho kids.
I am here as a representative of the parents of Idaho who believe every child deserves access to a strong public education. When House Bill 93 passed, it diverted $50 million off the top of Idaho’s budget —funds that would otherwise flow into the general pot used to meet critical public needs.
We have been told Governor Little plans a budget cut of 4 to 6% because there is going to be a shortfall. HB93 takes essential resources away from our public schools at a time when they need support more than ever.
Our public schools take every child, as established in the Idaho Constitution… that requirement is
to establish and maintain a general, uniform and thorough system of public, free common schools.
Now that tax dollars are going to private institutions, that promise is broken. Particularly for rural communities and students with special needs. Public dollars are for the Public. Public Schools serve every child —including the most vulnerable. Private schools are a private choice.
In Idaho we value our school choice opportunities. We have 9 school choice options and my 7 children experienced at one point or another almost all that are available!
But HB93 isn't about school choice. HB93 did not create new choices—it simply shifts who pays the bill.
HB93 allows a family’s private choice to be funded by our public dollars without clear expectations, accountability and transparency. As the Idaho PTA President I know that parents around the state support public education and I am grateful to have the opportunity to share that perspective tonight.
Direct Question to Idaho PTA: Sponsors of Idaho’s first voucher bill capped it at $50 million. After it passed, one voucher advocates said $50 million will become $250 million in the blink of an eye. Jamie, could this expansion happen in Idaho and how would that expansion affect Idaho taxpayers and public schools?
Just to be clear, HB 93 already passed: it diverts $50 million public funds off the top as a tax credit that will never reach the JFAC (Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee). Before I answer the expansion question - I want to have a brief explanation as I understand what this means for education. Because Tax credits are taken off the top before reaching the JFAC committee & budget line items. JFAC accounts for the remaining public “pot” of public money. They are our elected experts that help establish clear expectations, accountability, and transparency for every penny of public dollars. But the $50 million of HB93 tax credit is not part of that conversation because it is skimmed off the top.
Read more information on Idaho Parental Choice Tax Credit website. The Idaho Tax Commission will implement HB 93.
One thing I think is essential to remember is when Governor Little asked Idahohans 86% said they did not support HB93! 73 superintendents signed a letter opposing and a record-breaking 37,000 Idahoans called for veto.
So yes, I am concerned that despite it being unpopular that the same interests that helped pass HB93 will again influence an expansion beyond the cap. Last week, congress just approved the first national private school tax credit expected to be as much as $4 billion with no cap rolling out in 2027.
86% of Idahoans are not going to be happy that our public dollars are going to be cut for public schools that educate 94% of Idaho students. But the private school tax credit vouchers are going to get everything they were promised - no cuts.
Earlier last week the National Administration froze $7 billion in federal funding for public schools.
BUDGET CUTS are already happening. Governor Little stated there will be up to 6% budget cut. It will impact the public education taxing districts but NOT THE TAX CREDIT OF HB93 - ALL $50 million comes off the top before the budget is established and they want to EXPAND Idaho’s HB93 to $150 MILLION suggesting we cut the budget for education literacy intervention, the education Launch program, and education discretionary funding.
PROPERTY TAXES will go up, as happened in Wisconsin where voucher programs contributed to a $577 million increase in local property taxes reports from 2015 - 2024. Similar issues have occurred in Indiana, Arizona, Florida, and Ohio. I have brought my Bonneville County Assessment Notice that shows the taxing district information along with the contact information for the upcoming budget meetings. It is complex - Supplemental Levies & Bonds Line Items 210 to 216 go to District 91, Line Items 260 go to College of Eastern Idaho.
There is a column “Percent of Change” with a public budget hearing. As a Democratic Republic, we support local elected officials to report accountable and transparent use of these public funds with a Legislative Appropriation Process.
Direct Question to Idaho PTA: Supporters of this bill have messaged it as a win for school choice, while opponents have said it is a wealth redistribution formula that provides a government subsidy with minimal accountability and zero transparency. Jamie, did Idaho have school choice before this bill was passed and what are some of the school choice options available?
Idaho has 9 school choice options—including:
Neighborhood Public Schools
Open Enrollment School Options
Magnet Schools
Public Charter Schools
Virtual Online Schools
Dual Enrollment / Advanced Opportunities
Alternative Schools
Home School
and Private Schools.
HB93 is a tax credit for $5000 per child. But if the child has been evaluated for special needs they qualify for a higher $7500 tax credit. Public schools get public funds. Public schools take every kid regardless. HB93 is not a school choice discussion. HB 93 does not create new choices —it simply shifts who pays the bill.
I think an additional question to "WHAT DO PARENTS WANT” is the question “What do teachers need to do their jobs better?”
Public dollars are for the Public. Public Schools serve every child —including the most vulnerable. Private schools are a private choice.
HB93 is not about giving people more options. It is about taking funds from our public schools before the
Legislature - Appropriation Process.
We need to take care of our students.
We need to take care of our teachers.
We need to take care of our School Choice Options
Teachers are asked to do so much in their classrooms! Math, reading, science, language, curriculum emotional intelligence, differentiate instructions, communicate with disengaged parents, create safe learning environments, navigate administrative demands, participate in extra curricular responsibilities, test prep, test & track state mandates, recess duty, and the list goes on
Teachers take a vow to make the world a better place to all students in their influence.
In my opinions HB93 undermines trust in our public schools. Recently I talked to a Private School Head of School (Superintendent) “There has to be integrity in the process”
The unknown can create fear & anxiety. Fear can bring opinions full of misinformation.
Private Schools are not required to accept all students. There is a place for Private Religious Education. HB93 is good for religious institutions but in general Bad for Public Schools and Bad for Democracy.
I have experience with a child that has special needs and understand how difficult it can be.
In our Democracy we advocate for the greatest good for the greatest number.… in a Republic we focus on protecting the most fragile members of society who often lack strong representation —those with special needs, English language learners, & low income. As a Democratic Republic, when we take care of the fragile, we ultimately take care of the whole.
As it is - there is not enough to go around! We know Levy’s & Bonds don’t pass in Idaho Falls. Some of our high schools lack adequate electrical outlets! When we advocate our dollars based on the most fragile kids first, we are not going to lose anyone.
Private school is a private choice. Public dollars should be accounted for with transparent and with a Legislative Appropriation Process.
Idaho PTA Closing Statement
Thank you for the chance to speak tonight. As a mother of seven, and advocate for all children in the State of Idaho. I believe passionately in the power of public education to change lives. Our teachers change lives everyday!
Idaho PTA has stood for 120 years to help every child reach their potential regardless of need, ability, income, or background. And tonight, I continue to advocate for all Idaho kids who need strong public education options.
HB93 is not about creating new choices. Idaho already has nine school choice options, and my own children have experienced nearly all of them. HB93 fuels mistrust in our education system and merely shifts who pays the bill, directing public dollars to parents choosing private institutions without integrity, accountability or guarantees of equal access.
When public funds are skimmed off the top before the legislative appropriation process, we undermine the very foundation of our democratic republic—our system designed to protect the most fragile among us:
our special needs students, English language learners, and children in lower-income families who often lack a strong voice at the table.
Public dollars should serve the whole public. Private school is a private choice. And while there is a place for private education, it cannot come at the cost of weakening our public system or leaving our most vulnerable students behind.
I urge us to continue to stay informed & protect Idaho’s constitutional promise of a “general, uniform and thorough system of public, free common schools.” Our kids, our schools, our teachers —deserve nothing less!