If you ever make it to Great Falls, Montana, don’t miss the C.M. Russell Museum. One of the paintings on display is called Kindergarten or The Storyteller. This painting shows a unique glimpse into a classroom from our past. Stories can teach, heal, and connect us to each other. Having said that, a picture may be worth a thousand words, but sometimes it does not tell the whole story.
In many ways, Idaho public school’s story has been co-opted by special interest groups who are politically motivated to discredit the work done by students, parents, staff, and pro-education policy makers. Look no further than the elimination of election dates for school bonds and levies, the move to fund schools based on average daily attendance, and upcoming voucher legislation.
If you want to dive deeper into this story, look at what has happened to legislators who have supported traditional public school funding. Out of state money has funded campaigns against them. They have become targets for in-state extremist groups. And in a move reminiscent of the Stasi, some East German, I mean, eastern Idaho legislators were censured last year, in part, for their support of public school funding.
Against this political backdrop, the story continues. School choice is alive and well in Idaho. Besides traditional public schools that are open to all students, Idaho has 21 magnet schools, 67 alternative schools, and 76 charter schools. Those numbers are growing. Out of state entities have propped up policymakers who will push forward their voucher plan in the next legislative session. This will cut the school funding pie into thinner slices as Idaho taxpayers take on 152 private schools. Whether they present themselves as progressive and enlightened or if they are opportunistic and for-profit, each of these groups takes resources. Traditional public schools will once again be asked to do more with even less.
My teachers work with high income bracket families, low income bracket families, gifted and talented students, and a wide range of neuro-divergent students. They work with English language learners, homeless students, and students being raised by their grandparents. Almost all of my teachers are the second income in their homes or they work a second job. Despite all of this, we are finding success.
Pocatello-Chubbuck school leaders were invited to speak in Boise recently and told the story of how one of Idaho’s largest districts, with over 40% of students on Free and Reduced Lunch, is scoring above 70% on the IRI. Other student achievement metrics are also showing positive growth across all zip codes and all school boundary zones. Our students will succeed if we give them the support they need.
The best teachers are story tellers. Their stories can teach, heal, and connect us to our past so that we can envision a bright future. As you go to the polls next week, please consider the story you are telling our children. Whether it is Proposition 1, your local bond or levy, or candidate who supports ALL students; please vote to in favor of traditional public schools. Supporting school funding is an investment in our future. High quality education not only benefits students but also strengthens our communities and economy. Let’s come together to provide the best possible education for our children and build a brighter future for everybody’s happy ending.
