As trustees serving our school districts in Arco and Challis, we know something that not everyone in Boise seems to understand: rural schools do not compete on a level playing field. We don’t have limitless staff, specialized teachers waiting in the wings, or the enrollment numbers to offer everything our students need on our own. What we do have is one powerful, Idaho-built tool that ensures our kids aren’t left behind simply because of the ZIP code they were born into – the Idaho Digital Learning Alliance (IDLA).

Some in the Legislature have recently suggested that IDLA should be cut, or even dismantled, because “the free market” can do it better. As rural school board members, we can assure you: that’s not just wrong. It’s dangerous.

IDLA Exists Because Rural Idaho Needs It – And Because Lawmakers Asked for It

Let’s be clear. The growth in IDLA’s budget isn’t “ballooning”, but it is the direct result of many new state requirements and Idaho’s own legislative mandates. In just the last few years, lawmakers required new statewide offerings – such as financial literacy, 8th-grade career exploration, digital literacy, and even driver’s education. Those courses don’t just magically appear in small towns without certified teachers to teach them. IDLA fills that gap.

And unlike some private, out-of-state vendors circling Idaho today, IDLA is audited yearly, reports to the State Board of Education every quarter, and works directly with JFAC to tie funding to actual enrollment. It’s transparent, accountable, and run by Idaho people.

The Free Market Doesn’t Serve Towns Like Ours

We’ve heard claims that private providers can do it “cheaper.” That’s misleading. Their cheapest offerings typically come without teachers at all. When you compare apples to apples—courses taught by certified teachers, aligned to Idaho standards, with live instruction and personalized feedback.

And unlike the free-market vendors being promoted today, IDLA doesn’t walk away from small districts because class sizes are too small to turn a profit. A student in Challis or Arco deserves the same access as a student in Meridian, even if there are only three kids enrolling in a Dual Credit course. IDLA offers those courses anyway, because access for our students – not profit – is the mission.

Idaho lawmakers fought for standards that are unique to Idaho that support our standards and beliefs. Free-market vendors are going to be aligned with the National standards, This does not support the lawmakers request to have standards unique to the state of Idaho.

If lawmakers force us to replace IDLA with national, for-profit companies, here’s what will happen:

• Taxpayer dollars will flow out of Idaho.
• Courses won’t align as well with Idaho standards.
• Pass rates will drop.
• Access for rural students will shrink—not grow.

That is not a “market improvement.” That is a step backward.

IDLA Supports Our Local Teachers, Doesn’t Undercut Them

Another misconception we’ve heard is that teachers are getting “off-the-books” side income through IDLA. The reality? Every IDLA instructor is a W-2 employee. Their pay is taxed, reported, and audited like any other public-sector job.

Teachers can only teach up to two courses per term. Most do it after school hours because they believe in giving Idaho kids more opportunities. And districts, including ours, often prohibit teaching IDLA courses during regular school hours.

The notion that IDLA is some unregulated side hustle is simply false.

Rural Kids Deserve More Than Market Leftovers

The “free market” argument assumes that rural students can get the same services as urban students just by letting competition play out. But markets follow profit—not need. That’s why the Legislature created IDLA in the first place.

And if anyone believes private companies will maintain a 7-day help desk, statewide transparency, certified Idaho teachers, and customized Idaho curriculum if they have no competition—well, that’s not the free market we’ve seen.

When we say IDLA is essential, we aren’t exaggerating. Without it, our districts could not offer many of the courses our students depend on. Cutting IDLA wouldn’t level the playing field. It would tilt it further against rural kids.

If lawmakers want every child in Idaho to have access to a quality education – regardless of their ZIP code – they should strengthen IDLA, not dismantle it. Our students deserve the opportunities IDLA provides. Rural Idaho deserves a seat at the table.

Signed,

Karen Pyron, Butte County SD
Hal Jardone, Butte County SD
Dean Moncur, Butte County SD
Natasha Summers, Butte County SD
Rebecca Knapp, Butte County SD
Brett Plummer, Challis SD
Jim Chamberlain, Challis SD
Trish Farr, Challis SD
Annie Lloyd, Challis SD
Janiel Parkinson, Challis SD

Editors note: Both school district boards voted to approve this op-ed for submission at a properly noticed board meeting.