Kindergarten Bill Heads To Senate

A bill requiring kindergarten in every Idaho school district was sent to the full Senate Thursday, after its sponsors removed a provision that bothered private school operators and home-schoolers.

The original proposal would have required kindergarten attendance, but private kindergartens and home-schoolers objected, saying it would force children into public schools. Rep. Kitty Gurnsey, R-Boise, agreed with the concern, and revised her bill.

So when the Senate Education Committee held a hearing on the legislation Thursday, the only people who testified were Gurnsey and Monica Beaudoin, head of the Idaho Education Association. Both spoke in favor.

Gurnsey sponsored legislation 20 years ago that gave state funding to school districts that voluntarily offered kindergarten. This bill finishes the job by making kindergarten standard, she said.

If the bill passes the full Senate, it will be sent to the House of Representatives, which is traditionally opposed to strict mandates.