GARDEN CITY — Critics of Idaho’s private education tax credit Wednesday commandeered a town hall meeting that was organized to help parents apply for state funds covering private school tuition and home-school expenses.

The Mountain States Policy Center (MSPC) hosted the meeting as part of its “Idaho Kids Win” campaign, launched this month to promote and educate parents about the Idaho Parental Choice Tax Credit. Signed into law in February, the program offers $50 million in tax credits to non-public school students. The state funding reimburses private school tuition and home-school expenses like books and curriculum. 

Wednesday’s town hall at the Riverside Hotel was designed to field questions from parents who are planning to apply, and about half the attendees seemed to be aspiring applicants or private educators.

But the other half were program critics, who seized a rare opportunity to confront its sponsors. House Majority Leader Jason Monks and Senate Majority Leader Lori Den Hartog were part of a panel answering questions.

Critics question accountability measures, public school funding

Critics asked the Republicans from Meridian — sponsors of the tax credit legislation, House Bill 93 — why they didn’t require that private educators abide by the same accountability measures required of public schools, including standardized testing. 

They also grilled the legislators about public school funding. They questioned why the state is investing in private education while public schools face an estimated $100 million special education funding gap. Unlike public schools, private schools can deny admission to students with disabilities. 

Monks didn’t directly address special education funding, but defended his record on supporting public schools. He co-sponsored House Bill 292 — a 2023 property tax relief law that gave school districts $235 million this year to offset facilities and operations costs — and House Bill 521, last year’s law creating a $1 billion bond fund for public school construction projects. Public schools get about $2.8 billion from the state every year.

“We know that people came here specifically to try to criticize the program, and that’s OK. We’ll take your questions,” Monks said. “But the reality is, there is nobody better than a parent to determine whether or not (their children) have a good education.”

While an ongoing lawsuit seeks to block the tax credit from taking effect, the application period is scheduled to go live Jan. 15. Non-public school students will be eligible for up to $5,000, or $7,500 if they have a learning disability. Tax credits will be issued on a first-come, first-served basis until the $50 million cap is reached. Households that earn 300% or below the federal poverty level will receive priority. 

Legislator can’t promise cap will remain

Monks and Den Hartog were also asked to promise that they won’t lift the $50 million ceiling. This will be up to future lawmakers, Den Hartog responded, signaling that next year’s Legislature won’t lift the cap. 

“Like everything that’s put into law, it’s subject to the possibility of a future Legislature making a different decision,” Den Hartog said. “So can I stand here in front of you today and tell you that it will never increase? No, I can’t.”

HB 93 directed the State Tax Commission — the agency responsible for administering the program — to keep a waitlist of applicants who don’t receive a tax credit next year. This will offer an indication of the demand.  

But Den Hartog, Monks and other architects of the tax credit aren’t the only legislators who have a say — anybody can introduce a bill to lift the cap. At a similar town hall last week in North Idaho, Sen. Ben Toews, R-Coeur d’Alene, said he hopes the program will be expanded, according to a recording of the event provided to Idaho Education News. 

Applicants, private educators seek advice

Meanwhile, there were attendees at Wednesday’s town hall genuinely seeking advice about applying for the credit.

A home-schooling father from Middleton thanked event organizers for answering their questions and for spreading the message that “parents can do what’s best for their children.”

The Middleton father asked whether his child would be disqualified for taking just one class at a public school. That child won’t qualify for the tax credit, but other children in the family would be eligible, as long as they’re not enrolled in a public school. 

A Boise mother asked whether parents who receive the tax credit next year will need to reapply in future years. They will need to reapply, although applications from past recipients will be given priority in year two. 

A woman who operates a Canyon County microschool wondered whether her tuition qualifies. Microschool tuition qualifies, just like private school tuition, but parents who operate a microschool that their child attends cannot claim the tax credit to reimburse themselves. 

MSPC is hosting additional town halls in the coming months — in Idaho Falls, Pocatello, Moscow and Nampa. The group also has a website that includes answers to frequently asked questions about applying for the tax credit.