When public schools thrive, so does Idaho. Our classrooms prepare the next generation to lead, build, and care for our communities. Yet year after year, the Republican-controlled Legislature underfunds our schools, abandoning its responsibility to Idaho kids and the future of our state. Once again, on May 20, local taxpayers will have to clean up the mess.
Across the state, twenty-seven school districts are asking voters to approve more than $223 million in bonds and levies. These aren’t for extra services for our students. They’re essential to keep teachers in classrooms, maintain safe buildings, provide students with the instruction they need to succeed, and maintain our proud traditions like sports and music. In some districts, like West Bonner, levy failures could mean closing elementary schools. Elsewhere, they will mean layoffs, overcrowded classrooms, and cuts to services that support student learning.
These critical ballot measures expose a deeper, ongoing problem: Republican leaders are failing to fund public education adequately and consistently. And it’s only getting worse. A small school district leader in North Idaho described the 2025 legislative session as “the worst legislative session in my time in Idaho, and I’ve been an educator for 31 years.” Other education leaders have echoed similar concerns.
Despite Idaho’s rapid growth, GOP legislators refused to provide meaningful new operational funding. And they’re cutting so-called “discretionary” funding, which covers everyday needs like utilities, transportation, supplies, and emergency repairs, even as costs rise. An attempt to create a small fund for kids with special needs died in the Senate by a single vote, with every Democrat in support and a majority of Republicans against.
Rather than fix Idaho’s broken school funding formula or close the $82 million special education shortfall, the Republican supermajority doubled down on privatization. They rammed through a $50 million private school voucher scheme. Weeks later, they eliminated a $30 million program that had helped public school families pay for technology, tutoring, and other essentials.
That’s why Idaho’s public schools rely so heavily on local property taxes. And Republican lawmakers made it even harder by eliminating two of the four election dates that school districts use to propose funding measures. Bonds require a two-thirds supermajority, meaning even a minority of voters can block desperately needed funding with strong public support.
The May 20 election is another reminder of who is bearing the load for Idaho’s students: local taxpayers and voters.
Families shouldn’t fear losing teachers or even entire schools because Republican lawmakers fail to do their jobs. We need new leaders who will stop shifting the burden onto local taxpayers and give every child a fair shot at success. Until then, May 20 is your chance to protect Idaho’s children and our future.
Lauren Necochea is a District 19 Idaho State Representative (D) currently serving her second term.
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