Lawmakers called up two children from Kuna who attend the Idaho Virtual Academy, an online charter school, and spoke in favor of online education. Fifth grader Wyatt Bell said he's been learning online since kindergarten, and because his dad is off on Wednesdays, he can go skiing on Wednesdays and have school on Saturdays. Alexa Bell of Kuna told lawmakers, "The virtual schools are amazing and you can work at your own pace." She said she was sick a lot as a baby, and the school helped her catch up and get ahead.

Karl Abel of Kuna said he's a school bus driver, but he's speaking today as a parent. He suggested cuts elsewhere, such as food assistance to people who spend the money on junk food, would allow more funding for education. "I have 75 kids on my bus," he said. His voice breaking, he said, "They're my kids."

Wade Coldiron, a school board member from Priest River, said, "A computer is a tool, that's all it is. We need teachers to implement that tool." He said, "I think I have the best teachers in the state. ... We don't give them the resources they need."