Idaho is a state full of contrasts, from the rugged landscapes of Butte County to the vibrant Boise River in Ada County. However, when it comes to school vouchers, the differences go beyond just the scenery.
Ada County is Idaho’s largest county, with over half a million people. Here, around 8,400 kids attend private schools—more than the entire population of Butte County, which has only about 2,700 residents and just three schools. Families in Butte County do have some options for homeschooling, but the nearest private school is a two-hour drive in Salmon. That’s a long commute of 150 miles. In stark contrast, Ada County has more than 20 private schools to choose from.
Recently, a new voucher bill was introduced in the House. This bill is designed as a refundable tax credit. To put it into perspective, the average income in Butte County is about $43,000, while in Ada County, it sits at over $88,900. At a private school in Boise, high school tuition can exceed $10,000. For a parent in Butte County, even if they could use the tax credit, they’d end up spending a significant portion of their earnings on tuition for just one child, maybe getting back only half of that through the tax credit.
There are no private schools available in Butte County, so a tax credit wouldn’t really help parents there. The proposed legislation excludes any families whose kids are in public school, meaning families with homeschooled kids or those participating in public school activities won’t qualify. Parents hiring private tutors won’t get any reimbursement either. Essentially, rural parents in Butte County would be funding the private education of families in urban areas who can actually use this bill.
The proposed tax credit could apply to anyone earning up to three times the poverty level—about $93,000—which might not seem like a group needing financial assistance. Plus, wealthier families could access leftover funds in future years, even getting priority over lower-income families applying for help for the first time. This effectively turns the bill into a universal voucher program, rather than one focused on families in need.
This legislation won’t expand educational options for families in Butte County or other rural areas. Instead, it primarily supports families already using private schools in Idaho’s urban centers. As seen in places like Arizona and Florida, rural families could end up covering the costs for affluent families in cities who already have the choice of private education. It’s time to reconsider public funding for private schooling.
About Idaho Business for Education (IBE)
Idaho Business for Education is a group of business leaders committed to improving Idaho’s education system. They aim to build a skilled workforce that can enhance the business environment and foster a thriving Idaho economy.
