Alex attended public education both K – 12 and graduating from a public university. He believes that this education was a critical element in the success he has had in his life. He supports the residents of Kootenai County having the opportunity to put their children into the best possible schools available. He questions if “throwing money” at the problem is an adequate solution to the complex challenges facing Idaho’s educational system.
In 2019 the Idaho Superintendent requested more than $1.9 billion in the 2020 budget year for K-12 schools, which would represent an 8 percent increase above the current funding levels, which already included “automatic” increases. In 2019 school payroll (teachers’ salary) increased approximately 6%. This is unsustainable.
We must reign in Idaho State spending, or our taxes and cost of living will continue to increase. One way to rein in spending is to look at increasing school choice. Idaho is one of the few Republican-controlled states with no school choice option. I strongly support Educational Saving Accounts, where the money follows the student.
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