House Education Chairman Reed DeMordaunt, R-Eagle, told a full Lincoln Auditorium, “We asked the citizens of our state to submit their questions about the Idaho Common Core, and our citizens did not disappoint us. We received a great number of questions, and we were pleased to see that.”

Questions were consolidated to eliminate duplication, he said, but, “Certainly the goal was that the essence of every single question will be asked today.” The panel that is responding to the question is split evenly between proponents and opponents of the Idaho core standards, DeMordaunt said.

Senate Education Chairman John Goedde, R-Coeur d’Alene, advised the committee that it’s important to determine today “what’s fact and what’s opinion – both are important to our process.” He asked the crowd for no boo's and no applause. "Please be respectful," he said.