The bottom line is… public education, the Constitution of the State of Idaho, Idahoans, and not-for-profit public research and services lost. We know why. Well-funded culture war stories about government school indoctrination, teachers as groomers/powerful influencers of students’ sexual-orientation, and evil educators’ unions won out and persuaded some voters. Other voters got hooked by the promises of amazing “school choice” that were mis-framed as being mutually exclusive…. Idaho, you can vote for RINOs and mismanaged and failing government schools -or- Real Republicans, $$$!! and an exciting menu of education possibilities! Some people just didn’t really pay attention at all and ignored the May primaries, forfeiting their votes. They’re still not really aware that anything is changing.
It’s a tough, surreal time. Battle-ready public education advocates knew what President Trump’s administration was going to attempt, thanks to Project 2025. And here, in Idaho, we’ve had legislators who embody and voice the MAGA/Project 2025 spirit for years and years. So, even though Idaho’s 2025 legislative session held no surprises, the sucker punch to Idaho Constitution’s Article IX, with the passage of HB93, and a few other laws, still knocked the wind out of us. And now, having lost, it’s difficult to discern next steps. The lesson is, again and again, power-grabbers grab power and money, consolidate it, and grab again harder.
In any case, now some educators, students, parents and grandparents alike are dismayed and worried about what MAGA-rule means for our children’s education, opportunities, and futures. We’re angry and heartbroken watching the destruction and betrayal done by elected leaders who disregard our history and Constitution.
We, the current losers and underdogs… the ones who object to the Project 2025 trajectory we’re on… are just a bunch of normal, not rich, not famous, not powerful individuals, on both sides of the aisle and in the middle. Yes, we protest. Yes, we take heart from loved ones, faith, work, projects and hobbies. Yet, it can feel like we’re just treading water as we circle the drain, dang it. So long, little spider in the toilet!
Except, we’re not dead yet.
There is a to-do list for us. There is work we should do to save the remnants for the future:
● Get out the word. Give grace and support to those who need a boost in order to understand the remnants we still need to fight for in public education.
● Untwist and unspin MAGA gaslighting of our education laws and constitution– without the billions of dollars they have.
● Join Reclaim Idaho, IEA PACE, and Save Our Schools Idaho in their work.
● Think like MLK Jr. “The time is always right to do what is right.”
● Help people, each other
● Defend high teacher education standards and program, as well as administrator education and experiential standards
● Defend rigorous student academic standards, and keep them honest
● Protect academic freedom and libraries
● Protect student and family privacy
● Keep tabs on the flow of money and hold leaders to account…. Who’s in charge? Which people and companies are receiving it? How are they spending it?
● Be aware of the need to measure educational outcomes for all programs, and find ways to do so without federal or state help.
This is a start of where we can pick up on doing what’s right.
