Ethan Cowell — The committee first acknowledged Ethan Cowell as their page and began a farewell recognition, then Ethan introduced himself and spoke about serving as the House page for the Education and Business Committee, along with related duties, as part of his page experience.
Van Burtenshaw — Van Burtenshaw first argued that the endowment proposal would not change total funding, only how it is distributed, and said he would prefer a different formula if drafting it himself. He emphasized that endowment revenue has grown substantially and should go directly to schools as a separate line item rather than offsetting general fund dollars, then asked the committee to introduce RS 33436. He then introduced HB 710 on school start dates, arguing that school start dates have been creeping earlier, that a fixed statewide date would give parents predictability, and that schools should not be able to set the date themselves. In the ensuing discussion, he answered questions about average daily attendance and the funding formula, explaining that the bill would follow the existing formula unless it changes and that the proposal is intended to improve transparency without reducing the dollars schools receive.
James Woodward — Mentioned as 'Representative Nelson' in a likely transcription error; asked a technical question about line 24 and the distribution language.
James Woodward — Referenced as another superintendent who had discussed the issue with Hume.
James Woodward — Opposes the amended substitute motion and argues the committee process should be used as intended.
James Woodward — Continues opposing sending the matter to the full body, arguing for a clearer standard before bypassing committee.
James Woodward — Recorded as voting no in the roll call.
James Woodward — Recorded as voting yes in the roll call.
James Woodward — Representative Mendive raised a point of information asking whether the sponsor had to agree to the amendment or motion before it could proceed. The sponsor then responded that it was his bill and that he would not agree to the motion.
James Woodward — Representative Matthias asked for more detail on the complexities of the eligibility process and how it differs for charter schools versus traditional public schools, and the witness then addressed his question in response.
Janie Ward-Engelking — Representative Earhart questioned why the legislature should make the decision about school calendar timing instead of leaving it to schools, businesses, or others. In response to Van der Wada, Earhart referenced the historical school calendar and noted that they personally attended school before Labor Day start dates became common.
Janie Ward-Engelking — Representative Ely argued the proposal was directionally correct and attempted to amend the motion so references to public charter schools would also include public school districts. The chair said the amendment was not appropriate and advised that the motion would need to be restated with the added language. Ely then asked whether the sponsor would be amenable to the changes and responded appreciatively to the sponsor’s stated intent.
Janie Ward-Engelking — Identified as the sponsor of the motion being discussed.
Janie Ward-Engelking — Called on after the speaker notes seeing another light.
Janie Ward-Engelking — Asked whether funding students by enrollment versus average daily attendance is a change as well, and sought clarification.
Janie Ward-Engelking — Said the issue is not a gotcha and asked for an explanation, noting interest in a hearing.
Janie Ward-Engelking — Was addressed as the speaker asked for some freedom to comment on both the substitute motion and the bill.
Janie Ward-Engelking — Was told a companion bill would be excellent and that another bill could address the same issue.
Janie Ward-Engelking — Called in the roll call and voted yes.
Tammy Nichols — Representative Pickett asked why school start dates have been moving earlier, whether this affects Memorial Day weekend and the early summer calendar, and if the trend is related to the adoption of four-day school weeks.
Randy Lords — Randy Lords, superintendent of the Madison School District in Rexburg, Idaho, testified in opposition to the bill. He said the district’s calendar is approved through local school board action informed by parent input and survey feedback, and urged the legislature to continue supporting parents and local control. He also explained that the proposed start date would conflict with potato harvest and the needs of students and families in eastern Idaho, noting that the district has long built its calendar around harvest, babysitting, and farm work responsibilities.
Dave Lent — Chairman Hawkins presided over the hearing, introduced the first witness, and later facilitated questions following the witness’s testimony.
Dave Lent — Chairman Hawkins was addressed during a brief clarification exchange about whether the funding language constituted a change or new language, with the response explaining that it is new because it appears in a new section.
Dave Lent — Voted no in the roll call.
Cindy Carlson — Asked where missed days for potato harvest would be made up.
Cindy Carlson — Representative Garner thanked the chairman and then asked a follow-up question to Chairman, Ms. McClure, or Representative Pickett about why public school districts would not fit the definition of an authorizer.
Cindy Carlson — Cindy Carlson was called during the roll call and recorded two votes in the sequence, first voting no and later voting yes.
Alexa Morgan / Alexis from Eagle — Introduced as the next testifier from Eagle; the speaker identifies herself as representing Idaho PTA.
Alexis / parent of three Idaho public school graduates — Explains that starting earlier helps students finish finals before Christmas break and rest over the holidays.
Jason Moss — Jason Moss, superintendent of Grace School District, testifies that while a post-Labor Day school start may seem appealing, it would create serious hardships for harvest communities like Grace. He explains that many junior high and high school students, along with teachers and staff, participate in potato harvest work, and that delaying the school start would force the district into a disruptive pattern of only a few weeks of school followed by a two-week break. He concludes that the bill would take away local districts’ ability to set calendars that best fit their community’s needs.
Jennifer Johnson — Jennifer Johnson, a Boise resident speaking for herself as a parent and small business owner, testifies against House Bill 710. She praises her local school board’s process for setting school start and end dates, including surveying parents, and argues that an August start helps students finish finals before Christmas break and supports college readiness. She concludes by urging a no vote and defending local school board decision-making.
Scott Wilson Hume — Scott Wilson Hume, superintendent of Bonneville School District in Idaho Falls, testified in opposition to House Bill 710. He explained that the district sets its school calendar based on family and community preferences, reviews it periodically, and uses survey input to guide decisions. He cited survey results showing strong support for the current calendar and urged lawmakers to let local school boards decide calendars based on what families and communities want.
Misty Swanson — Misty Swanson, executive director of the Idaho School Boards Association, testified in opposition to House Bill 710. She argued that Idaho’s communities are diverse and that local school calendars should reflect community needs, including economic realities and harvest breaks. She said existing schedules are purposeful and tailored to local conditions, and warned that a one-size-fits-all September start mandate would not fit Idaho’s varied geographic and economic realities.
Pam Eaton — Pam Eaton, president and CEO of the Idaho Lodging and Restaurant Association, testified in support of the legislation. She explained that the tourism and hospitality industry depends heavily on teenage workers during the busy travel season, and that earlier school start dates reduce worker availability. As a result, popular tourism areas may have to close or cut back operations, leaving visitors to find attractions shut down. She said this is why her association supports the bill, which she believes would help Idaho’s economy and tourism-dependent businesses.
Carrie Semmelroth — Explained that charter schools are incubators for innovation and that the proposed change would make the effort more difficult.
Carrie Semmelroth — Representative Pickett asked to explain his concern that the motion would not work for public schools without further policy changes, and the chair allowed him to proceed with that explanation.
Emily McClure — Emily McClure, speaking on behalf of the Idaho Charter School Network, testified in support of the proposal and described charter schools as innovative experiments. She then explained that Representative Ely’s motion is not technically possible to implement because of the eligibility criteria.
Mrs. McClure / Ms. McClure — Responds humorously to being addressed as 'Mrs. McClure' and is then asked about page one, lines 23 and 24.
Kevin Cook — Referenced as the member whose permission is sought before asking the question.
Kevin Cook — Voted no in the roll call; the name appears as Handy in the transcript, likely a transcription error for Vice Chair Cook or another member, but preserved as spoken/questionable.