The State Board of Education has joined the chorus of opposition to a controversial private school scholarship bill, reports Idaho Education News. Voting unanimously today, the State Board opposed House Bill 590, which narrowly passed the House Education Committee Wednesday and now awaits a vote on the House floor.

HB 590 would set up a scholarship that could be used to cover tuition at private schools or private online schools. Supporters –  including state Rep. John VanderWoude and lobbyist Blake Youde, a former State Board spokesman – say the bill is designed to provide choices for parents of at-risk students, students with disabilities or students in poverty. Critics have labeled HB 590 a roundabout attempt to create a voucher program. The board also voted to oppose HB 566, which would allow charter schools to hire an administrator who lacks educational certification, a bill that passed the House Thursday; and took positions on several other pending bills. EdNews reporter Kevin Richert has a full report here.