BOISE, Idaho – The 2025 legislative session is in full swing, with school choice taking center stage. Eastern Idaho representative Marco Erickson believes there will be more bills related to this topic this year.
“If it helps kids, I’m all for it,” Erickson said. However, he wants to ensure that funds are used efficiently and not wasted.
Concerns about rural schools also emerged during discussions. Representative Kevin Andrus, from a less populated area, worries that school choice might pull students from these districts. “Many of these schools are already facing financial challenges,” he noted. His goal is to find solutions that support all students, especially in smaller communities.
Idaho’s Superintendent of Public Instruction, Debbie Critchfield, has weighed in on the ongoing discussions. She emphasizes the need to clarify how the state will support parents in choosing educational options for their children. “We need to focus on what role, if any, the state should have in supporting parental choice,” she said.
Critchfield is also pushing for a modernization of school budget policies. She suggests that funding should reflect the specific needs of students in each district rather than relying on a statewide average. “This approach respects local realities and allows schools to allocate resources where they are needed most,” she explained.
Her main concern for this session is ensuring that the new laws do not create unnecessary complications for the Department of Education. She hopes to simplify processes to better serve Idaho’s students and schools.
