I believe strongly in our public school system

Dear Editor:

 Urge our legislative representatives to vote no on HB 93.

 For the 44 years we’ve lived in Weiser, I’ve voted yes for every single school bond issue, even though we’ve never had kids. I may not agree with every decision made by our school board, and I wouldn’t disagree that there’s room for improvement. But I believe strongly in our public school system where I at least have some say so in how our tax monies are spent. 

 My 47-year-old niece was born and homeschooled in Elk City, Idaho, graduating with honors from Albertson College.  She is now one of the leaders of the Home School Idaho organization. 

 While I’m still not a big fan of homeschooling which doesn’t receive or want a single tax dollar from us, I acknowledge there’s a place for homeschooling in Idaho. But when a public-school advocate like me and a homeschool advocate like my niece can agree there is no place in Idaho for the school voucher program being pushed by our Legislature these past several years, I would hope you too would learn the facts and then urge our legislators to oppose this mandate. 

 There’s a reason this bill keeps coming back, and no amount of lipstick or tweaking will change the fact it’s not good for Idaho.   

 Senator Shippy promised to vote against HB39. I’m not sure where he stands on yet the latest version of this scam. Please tell Brandon, John, and Judy to vote against HB93!

Tony Edmondson

Weiser, Idaho