A divided House Education Committee has voted 9-7 in favor of HB 590, to establish a new scholarship program for private schools only, to be administered by the State Board of Education. The narrow vote followed two hours of testimony for and against the bill, including concerns raised by the office of the state board about how it would take on such a task and opposition from an array of Idaho school district superintendents and education advocates.

“This gives parents one more choice,” Rep. John VanderWoude, R-Nampa, the bill’s lead sponsor, told the committee.

Opponents said the bill is a step toward a type of voucher system – which would violate the Idaho Constitution’s strict rules against any public funds going to religious or sectarian schools.

Rep. Paul Amador, R-Coeur d’Alene, said, “School choice is already an option for any parent in Idaho. … We’re creating essentially a shell for a scholarship granting organization that would be somehow managed or supervised by the State Board of Education.” He questioned whether that’s an appropriate role for the state board, and said such a scholarship granting organization could be formed right now as a private non-profit. “Why do we need to create another layer of government intrusion into essentially a private school’s determination of scholarship for their children that are going to be attending?” he asked. “Why don’t we rely upon the private market?”

Rep. Julie VanOrden, R-Pingree, the committee chair, said she has concerns about the bill and issues of compliance with laws regarding education for students with disabilities, so she’ll seek more information and reserve the right to vote against the bill when it comes up in the full House. However, VanOrden voted cast the deciding vote, sending the measure to the full House.

Four Republicans joined the panel’s three Democrats in opposing the bill, Reps. Syme, Amador, Kerby and McDonald. All other committee members voted in favor of the bill.

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