Idahoans for Choice in Education

Expanding Educational Choice for Idaho Families

A guest opinion appeared in newspapers around the State in which Idaho Education Association (IEA) President Sheri Wood "opened fire² on Idaho taxpayers, parents and even it¹s children. Her first ³shot² suggested that if Idaho schools are to serve these constituents -- teachers, parents and students -- that more money must be appropriated to fund government schools. Nothing could be further from the truth!

Now, the IEA is preparing to ³fire² the next salvo by running a media campaign calling for a permanent increase in our sales tax from 5% to 6% with the ³lions² share of that additional $180 million going to government schools.

It is inconceivable that the case for needed improvements in government schools hinges on additional money. This would suggest that the many previous increases in appropriations and accompanying expenditures have somehow resulted in improved schools. Again, nothing could be further from the truth! Increased funding has not brought any improvements in school performance. No matter how it's slICE-PACd, more money does not equate to improved performance.

In fact, the opposite is true. Appropriations for government schools have increased tremendously over the past two decades with the only result being tremendous cost increases in educating students. There has been little increase in student performance.

And not only are parents and taxpayers being targeted, but also our children. It is regretful that the IEA would prostitute the Idaho students for its own material gain. A national teacher union leader recently made the following statement when asked if his union represented students. He

replied: ³When students start paying dues I will be interested in the welfare of students!²

The only reason for Sheri Wood to write about the ³plight² of government schools and the soon-to-be announced initiative to secure a sales tax increase is to put more money in the coffers of the union!

I have been involved in our government school system for more than 40 years and I have seen appropriation increases of over 20%. I know first hand the

result: no improvements academically. If the appropriation was increased 5, 10, or even 20%, the only change that will occur in our schools is an accompanying percentage increase in expenditures with still little increase in student performance! Past history supports this point well.

So why, in spite of huge increases in expenditures, have schools not improved? The answer is simple: They don¹t have to! When was the last time that you saw a government school shut down because of poor performance?

You haven't because it's never happened. Public schools that fail children continue to operate because they have little to no accountability.

It is easy to criticize our schools. It is more difficult to suggest positive changes, although the solutions themselves are not difficult. We have a host of proven possibilities from which to choose. It is time to empower parents with these additional choices so they determine how and where they want their children educated.

For instance, charter schools out perform traditional schools and cost about 65-70% of what traditional government schools cost. There should be more of them in our State. Virtual schools and home schools are providing an equal or better educational opportunity at a fraction of the cost of traditional schools.

Instead of pouring more money into a dying model, let's try something different. Empower parents with more educational choices, and force traditional schools to reinvent themselves in light of a competitive education system. Currently Idaho taxpayers spend about $8,000 per student per year or about $200,000 per classroom in a traditional public school for a mediocre, at best, education. (Yes $200,000 per CLASSROOM -- where does all that money go?) There is no doubt, that if forced, an overhaul of the traditional public school system would not only ensure that traditional schools would survive, but thrive - on the same amount of money! They have the people, the expertise and the resources.

The Idaho Education Association has proclaimed that its union is the VOICE of public education in Idaho and maybe, at some point in the past, it was.

However, today with its liberal positions on issues such as abortion, gun control and sex education, the union is clearly out of touch with most Idaho parents. The union's values are simply not in sync with most Idahoans!

It is for these reasons that the political action committee Idahoans for ChoICE-PAC in Education was formed about 18 months ago. This organization exists to empower PARENTS with the decision-making authority regarding the education of their children. Check us out at ICE-PACpac.org.

And don't be fooled by the teachers' union rhetoric. It exists to champion the working conditions of its constituency - its paying dues Directors. You exist to better the education of your children. Take part, demand choice, and say no to unneeded and unnecessary taxation.

Darrel Deide, Chairman

Idahoans for ChoICE-PAC in Education

www.ICE-PACpac.org

ICE-PAC

P.O Box 933

Boise, ID 83701