Senate Education Committee advances two gubernatorial appointments, forwards self-directed learning proposal RS 31903

The Idaho Senate Education Committee on Tuesday recommended Senate confirmation for two gubernatorial appointments and advanced RS 31903, a proposal that would let funds for a student's individualized plan flow to parents under an agreement with the local school district.

Committee members voted to send Wallace Hedrick's appointment to the Idaho Public Charter School Commission to the Senate floor with a recommendation of approval. A second motion sent Sean Keogh's reappointment to the Idaho State Board of Education to the floor with a due-pass recommendation. Later in the meeting the committee moved RS 31903 forward for further consideration; senators debated whether the change effectively functions as a voucher-style payment to parents.

The bills and appointments were handled as separate motions. A senator moved to send Wallace Hedrick to the Public Charter School Commission; the motion was seconded by Senator Zito and carried on a voice vote. Senator Woodward moved to send Sean Keogh to the State Board of Education; Senator Nichols seconded that motion and it likewise received a due-pass recommendation to the Senate floor.

RS 31903 was introduced during a print hearing discussion. Senator Dave Lent (District 33, Idaho Falls) described the proposal as an extension of Idaho's self-directed learner law that would allow funds designated for a student to "flow to the parents in conjunction with an agreement with that district," and said the program is used in places he cited as examples where districts remain involved and provide access to professional resources. He said the change appears on page 2, starting at line 31 of the draft, and that the plan must be agreed to by district leadership.

Not all committee members supported advancing RS 31903. Senator Ward Engelking said, "This sounds like a voucher program to me. It's taking state public funds and paying parents to teach their children at home. And I have a real problem with that. So, I'll be voting no on the print hearing." Senator Linn and Senator Nichols voiced support for engaging parents in student plans; Linn said she favored parent involvement and suggested a fuller hearing with the bill’s sponsor present.

The committee moved RS 31903 forward after brief debate. The motion to advance the proposal was seconded by Senator Carlson; the recorded voice vote produced both aye and nay responses but individual tallies were not specified in the transcript.

There were no ordinances, budget votes, or contract awards discussed in this meeting. The committee chair closed the session and said the committee will reconvene the following day at 3:00 p.m.