EDUCATION: Oppose vouchers

The Coeur d’Alene Education Partnership Board Members hold grave concern for the Private School Voucher bill recently introduced in the Idaho House Education Committee — HO 590;RS26177. This is the Guided Education Management Act.

The Coeur d’Alene Education Partnership is an independent, nonprofit partnership driven by the belief that every student in the Coeur d’Alene School District deserves a public education of the highest quality. We work cooperatively with local and state officials for superior public schools, promote research-based educational policy, and take reasoned positions on non-partisan issues that affect public education.

The reasons for a strong public education system in Idaho are numerous. We believe it helps keep Idaho strong and competitive in today’s world, strengthens our state by ensuring children will have the skills to participate and to be of service as citizens in our Idaho communities, is an avenue to unify diverse populations, and improves social conditions. We believe that investing in public education in Idaho is an investment in Idaho’s future and America’s future.

We oppose school vouchers that redirect the taxpayer dollars from our public school children to private or parochial schools.

We value public schools. We value accountability. We value services for struggling learners and children with disabilities. We value rigor, grit and high learning standards for all learners. We value school safety. We value the separation of private and parochial education from state government. The Idaho Guided Education Management Act threatens these values.

Public education is the cornerstone of Idaho — of American democracy. We stand for public education.

AMY VOELLER

President

Coeur d’Alene Education Partnership