Who Should Decide Your Child’s Education — You, or the State?
/Here’s the bill: S 1176
Why S1176 is more than a bill — it’s a test of whether Idaho still trusts parents.
If you're a parent who made the courageous, intentional decision to choose virtual education for your child — you're not alone. Thousands of families across Idaho have walked that same path.
Some of us chose virtual charter schools. Others turned to district-run online programs. A few built homeschool routines around digital tools. But what unites us is this:
We didn’t choose the default.
We chose what worked best for our child.
Now, Senator Dave Lent (R–Idaho Falls) and Representative Sonia Galaviz (D–Boise) are pushing legislation that says they know better than you. Senate Bill 1176, and a secret replacement bill now being drafted, would dismantle everything parents and local leaders fought so hard to build.
The State Wants Control. But You Already Earned It.
- Gut funding for virtual programs
- Strip local school boards of the authority to serve their own communities
- Hand control back to a bloated state bureaucracy that’s hostile to online learning
This isn’t reform. It’s punishment.
It’s a message to families who chose differently:
Sit down, shut up, and get back in line.
And let’s be clear — the Public Charter School Commission that would take over oversight? It’s been through five executive directors in two years and still doesn’t have stable leadership. It’s not prepared. And it doesn’t care about your child’s unique learning needs.
This Isn’t Just About Policy — It’s About Trust.
This is about whether we still believe parents are capable of making the best decisions for their children.
Governor Brad Little believed that when he signed the 2024 charter school reform package into law — reforms that increased local control and expanded school choice.
Now those gains are under attack.
So we’ll ask again:
Who should decide your child’s education?
You?
Your local school board?
Or a group of unelected bureaucrats in Boise who’ve never set foot in your home, met your child, or understood your family’s needs?
Take Action Now.
Lawmakers need to hear your story.
Click below to contact your senator and the Senate Education Committee. Tell them:
- You’re a parent in their district
- You chose this model because it works
- You strongly oppose S1176 and any attempt to bring it back under a new name
You can also email your concerns directly to bill sponsors:
Senator Dave Lent – dlent@senate.idaho.gov
Rep. Lori Galaviz – lgalaviz@house.idaho.gov
Our message is simple:
If you don’t trust parents, you don’t belong in public office.
Let’s stop S1176 — and any version of it — now.