IDAHO — The state of Idaho is ranked among the lowest in the nation in terms of how much is spent in schools. In fact, Idaho’s blueprint for funding hasn’t been changed in over 30 years. This November, Idaho families can change that.
The three candidates competing to lead Idaho’s public schools each propose their own vision for how the state should fund education, an issue that has become the central focus of the superintendent race heading into November’s election.
Candidates on the November ballot include Republican incumbent Debbie Critchfield, Democrat Becky Sundin Mitchell, and Constitution Party candidate Teresa Roundy.
Critchfield’s Approach
Debbie Critchfield, the current superintendent, plans to rewrite Idaho’s funding formula—a system that has remained largely unchanged since the 90’s. Her priorities include more resources toward special education programs and also speaking more openly about the mental health issue in schools. In regard to spending, Critchfield sides conservatively.
“We must live within a balanced budget. I absolutely believe that. I’m unwilling to pay for education on a credit card,” Critchfield said.
Critchfield also explains her approach to the mental health issues in classrooms.
“Teachers are not therapists. We don’t want them to be. We don’t expect them to be. We also know that our students bring their challenges, stress issues into the classroom every day. So, finding the right role for schools and finding the opportunities where we can and should help, every single part of that should all be directed towards empowering parents with the information ,” she said.
Another topic of discussion in Idaho, is the Parental Choice Tax Credit, which was passed last year. It provides taxpayer-funded credits to families with children in non-public schools. Critchfield says she will not take a stance on the bill until she receives data on how students were helped by the program.
Mitchell’s Approach
Becky Sundin Mitchell, a Democrat and mother of a special needs child, has made addressing special education funding one of the top priorities in her campaign. She points to a $100 million budget shortfall in special education programs as a critical problem that demands immediate attention.
“One of the reasons I decided to run is when I saw that there was a $100 million shortfall for special education, and nothing was done to address that need,” Mitchell said.
Mitchell advocates for switching Idaho to an enrollment-based funding formula, a system that would distribute money to schools based on the number of students enrolled rather than attendance records. This approach, she argues, would ensure that every school receives the resources it needs.
“When you do an enrollment based funding formula, but then make sure that you’re not going to sacrifice rural schools for urban schools, that’s going to put the bottom line dollars into every school that needs it,” Mitchell said.
Mitchell opposes Idaho’s Parental Choice Tax Credit, saying she prefers public schools to be “fully funded” first.
Roundy’s Approach
Teresa Roundy, the Constitution Party candidate, says she also believes in enrollment-based funding.
“We need to do it just by per pupil, instead of however they’ve been doing it, you know? I mean, number one, that’ll be a big shift,” Roundy said.
Roundy says her main focus for her campaign, is prioritizing safety in schools.
“Child safety first. It’s not happening in our public schools, and it needs to happen,” Roundy said.
Roundy also opposes the Parental Choice Tax Credit, arguing that the state should prioritize supporting public education instead.
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