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Senate Education committee holds bill on Idaho Home Learning Academy; chair says program will be preserved
Summary
Senate Education members voted to hold Senate Bill 1068 at the call of the chair after hearing from Janet Cox of Idaho Home Learning Academy. Committee members said they support the program and want to align it with other pending virtual‑learning legislation.
Senate Education Committee members voted to hold Sen. Thain’s Senate Bill 1068 in the chairman’s drawer at the call of the chair after hearing brief testimony from a representative of Idaho Home Learning Academy.
Janet Cox, representing Idaho Home Learning Academy and parents associated with the program, introduced herself to the committee and answered questions about the bill and the program. "I am Janet Cox, and I am representing the parents with Idaho Home Learning Academy and Idaho Home Learning Academy," she told the panel.
Committee members said they see value in the program but want to consider it alongside other pending legislation that affects statewide virtual learning. The chair said the committee had "been wrestling" with how best to proceed and that other bills coming to the committee could affect the structure or funding of virtual programs. The chair added that he had discussed the matter with Senator Thain and that parties involved would be notified so they could participate in further discussions.
Several senators asked whether holding the bill threatened the program’s ability to continue serving students. The chair responded that he and other committee members were committed "to make sure that we provide this for our residents in the state" and that the program "adds value" to Idaho’s public education offerings. Senator Wardingle King warned the committee that the bill as written would complicate funding because state distributions typically follow attendance (average daily attendance), and the bill’s language could affect how money is sent to schools.
Motion and outcome: A motion to send Senate Bill 1068 to the chairman’s drawer for hold until the call of the chair was made, seconded, and approved by the committee by voice vote. The chair said staff would follow up and collect contact information from Ms. Cox.
The committee gave no formal vote tally on the record; no amendments or directions to staff were adopted at the meeting.
The committee will revisit the bill when committee leadership decides to call it back for discussion in light of other virtual‑learning legislation under consideration.
