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Drop Out And Walk, Teens Told Legislature Ties Driver’s Licenses To Education

Betsy Z. Russell And Susan Drumheller S Staff writer

Youths who drop out of school should lose their driver’s licenses, the House declared Monday, voting 47-20 to make that the law in Idaho.

The bill already has passed the Senate and now goes to the governor.

“I think it’s time we simply put our foot down and said, ‘If you’re not in school, you walk,”’ said Rep. Mark Stubbs, R-Twin Falls. “Maybe we’ll keep some kids in school.”

North Idaho educators are cautiously optimistic that the law may motivate some students to stay in school.

“One of the frustrations we have is that the business community and other organizations don’t always support the students being in school,” said James Wandler, a counselor at Sandpoint’s alternative high school. “Any time there’s pressure outside to keep a student in school and in training, that’s good.”

Rep. Celia Gould, R-Buhl, argued against the bill, saying it amounted to telling parents how to raise their kids. “I think I’ve got my work cut out for me raising my own child, and I’m not going to sit here on the floor of this Legislature and try to raise somebody else’s.”

Rep. Bill Sali, R-Meridian, said it would be “a hollow victory indeed” to keep kids in school if they don’t really want to be there. “They’re going to be there because of the power of government.”

“This is a parental responsibility,” said Rep. Lenore Barrett, R-Challis. “Parents should be disciplining and training these kids.”

But Rep. Max Mortensen, R-St. Anthony, said, “I’m going to vote for this because this isn’t 1945 when I was in high school - this is 1996. …. There is a need for this bill.” “We have to do this sort of thing,” said Rep. James “Doc” Lucas, R-Moscow.

Lawmakers said the bill would allow for exceptions for students in hardship situations, or those actively seeking a general equivalency diploma (GED).

Judy Drake, secondary education director for the Coeur d’Alene schools, said exceptions would be necessary.

“It may be a problem for students who are working and dropped out of traditional schooling, who plan on going on to get a GED,” she said.

Last year, 225 to 250 students under the age of 18 worked on their GED at North Idaho College, said NIC’s learning center director Alan Johnson.

“If nothing else, it will provide incentive for them to at least go that route,” Johnson said.

, DataTimes MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: How they voted Here’s how North Idaho lawmakers voted on the drop-out-and-walk bill: Reps. Chuck Cuddy, D-Orofino; June Judd, D-St. Maries; and Jim Stoicheff, D-Sandpoint; voted no. Reps. Tom Dorr, R-Post Falls; Wayne Meyer, R-Rathdrum; Carol Pietsch, D-Sandpoint; Don Pischner, R-Coeur d’Alene; and Marvin Vandenberg, D-Coeur d’Alene; voted yes. Reps. Jeff Alltus, R-Coeur d’Alene, and Hilde Kellogg, R-Post Falls, missed the vote.

This sidebar appeared with the story: How they voted Here’s how North Idaho lawmakers voted on the drop-out-and-walk bill: Reps. Chuck Cuddy, D-Orofino; June Judd, D-St. Maries; and Jim Stoicheff, D-Sandpoint; voted no. Reps. Tom Dorr, R-Post Falls; Wayne Meyer, R-Rathdrum; Carol Pietsch, D-Sandpoint; Don Pischner, R-Coeur d’Alene; and Marvin Vandenberg, D-Coeur d’Alene; voted yes. Reps. Jeff Alltus, R-Coeur d’Alene, and Hilde Kellogg, R-Post Falls, missed the vote.