Building Trust and Credibility in Our Communities

At the recent Save Our Schools Town Hall in Idaho Falls, someone in the audience asked me a question that cuts to the heart of this debate:

“This bill allocates only 0.89% of the general fund budget. Our state has not provided funds to properly support schools ever. This bill is creating a forum to discuss the best interest of Idaho kids, but how are you addressing building trust and credibility within our communities to garner the support needed to move the mark here in our community? This room supports public education, but what are you doing to build trust and support within this community?”

This is exactly the right question. It’s not just about the money. It’s about trust.

When money is diverted off the top of the state budget to private schools, without public debate or legislative appropriation, it fuels mistrust in how decisions are made. Communities rightly ask:

• Who decides how public money is spent?

• Are those decisions transparent and accountable?

• Will every child, especially the most vulnerable, be served?

Idaho PTA is participating in a grassroots approach with the creation of the Idaho Public Education Coalition. Legislators and educators will return to their communities, ask real questions, and listen. We’ll gather that input through a statewide survey available in May and regional meetings with parents, educators, students, administrators, and other community members. This data will provide the critical foundation for future policy.

Interested in attending our Imagine Excellence meetings in your community? Read more: https://idahoed.com

Jamie Braithwaite, Idaho State PTA President participated in the Imagine Excellence Meeting in Eastern Idaho on June 16, 2025. She discussed the future of Idaho Public Education along side legislators, school board members, school administrators, superintendants, teachers, parents, and community members.

“If I had to start with one change, it would be this: Our kids. Our schools.
Our kids aren’t the problem—the system is. Let’s stop asking them to fit into outdated models, and start building schools for the future—schools that recognize and nurture every student’s full potential.” - Jamie Braithwaite

Read More for Jamie Braithwaite’s answers to all the questions