I appreciate the opportunity to engage in this discussion regarding House Bill 93 and the broader topic of school choice in Idaho. While I acknowledge the value private schools provide to many families, we must also address the fundamental issue your letter fails to acknowledge: when a private school denies enrollment to a student, it removes the very choice you claim to champion. Public schools serve all students, regardless of ability, background, or circumstance, ensuring every child has access to education. That is the ultimate form of school choice—one that remains available to every Idaho family.

Additionally, your letter highlights the concept of accountability yet disregards the fact that private schools are not held to the same transparency standards as public schools. Public schools operate under clear, measurable accountability structures that require us to demonstrate student learning, financial stewardship, and adherence to state and federal laws. Conversely, private schools receiving public dollars under HB 93 would not be required to report student achievement, provide performance data, or uphold the same public oversight that ensures taxpayer funds are effectively spent. Without these fundamental checks, there is no way to verify whether students in private schools are truly receiving a better education or if public dollars are being used responsibly.

Your argument that “parental choice” alone is sufficient accountability ignores the broader responsibility we all share in ensuring that Idaho’s children receive a high-quality education. But what happens to parental choice when a private school decides a student isn’t the right fit? What if parents are told their child is not the right religion, or that the school does not have the resources to support a disability? Where does their choice go? Public schools do not turn students away—we welcome and serve all children, regardless of their needs or backgrounds. True school choice should mean access for every child, not just the ones private schools decide to accept.

Last week, I spoke with a representative about HB 93, and he explained that the competition created by this bill would be good for public schools. I agree that competition can drive innovation, but competition is only fair when both sides are held to the same standards. If only one side is required to report results, how are we truly competing? Public schools openly share their performance data, financial reports, and accountability measures. How and where are private schools reporting this information? If private schools are to receive public funds, they should also be required to provide transparent data on student outcomes and school performance. Without that, this is not a competition—it’s an uneven playing field where one side is subject to rigorous scrutiny while the other operates without accountability.

I welcome the continued conversation about how to best serve all Idaho students, but any policy that shifts public funds to private schools must be accompanied by full transparency and accountability to the taxpayers who fund it. Without these safeguards, public dollars should remain in public schools, where they serve all students and are subject to rigorous oversight.