Legal Challenge Filed
A coalition of groups has filed a lawsuit with the Idaho Supreme Court seeking to strike down the state’s new Parental Choice Tax Credit program, arguing that the measure violates the Idaho Constitution.
The 27-page lawsuit, submitted by organizations including the Committee to Protect and Preserve the Idaho Constitution, the Idaho Education Association, and Mormon Women for Ethical Government, names the state and its tax commission.
At the center of the challenge is Article 9, Section 1 of the Idaho Constitution, which requires the legislature to provide a “general, uniform and thorough” system of free public schools. Plaintiffs claim the $50 million program, designed to help families afford private education, creates a separate system without the same accountability requirements.
Arguments Against the Program
Opponents say the tax credits:
- Strip resources from Idaho’s public schools.
- Allow taxpayer dollars to flow to private schools without oversight of curriculum or testing.
- Enable discrimination, since private schools can reject students on religious or academic grounds while receiving public funds.
Paul Stark of the Idaho Education Association said lawmakers are diverting resources away from schools that must meet strict accountability standards. Cindy Wilson of Mormon Women for Ethical Government argued the law “weakens public education” and only benefits a small portion of families.
Sen. Janie Ward-Engelking (D–Boise), a member of the Senate education committee and a former educator, said Idaho already offers multiple school choice options such as open enrollment, dual-credit programs, and career academies. She called the new credits a “voucher scheme.”
Parents Share Concerns
One parent, Alexis Morgan, testified that her child was denied admission to a private Christian school because the family was “the wrong brand of Christian.” She said it was unfair that the same school could now access public dollars through the tax credit system.
Support for School Choice
Supporters of the program, including many Republican legislators, argue the law is about empowering parents and families. They point out that Idaho ranks near the bottom nationally in per-pupil spending, and many parents want alternatives to traditional public schools that better align with their values or provide specialized learning opportunities.
For these advocates, the tax credit is about fairness—letting parents keep more of their own money to decide what education is best for their children, rather than being locked into a one-size-fits-all public system.
What Happens Next
The coalition is asking the Idaho Supreme Court to declare the law unconstitutional and block families from applying when the program opens in January.
The case now places Idaho at the center of a broader national debate over school choice, parental rights, and the role of taxpayer funding in education.
Related Coverage
- Idaho News – https://idahonews.co/idaho-news-3/
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