Dave Lent — The speaker indicates they will yield time if it pleases the chairman.
Dave Lent — Addressed as the chairman when yielding time.
Dave Lent — Addressed again when the witness is invited to testify.
Dave Lent — The witness addresses the chairman in opening remarks.
Dave Lent — Addressed by Senator Cook.
Dave Lent — Welcomes the next witness to committee and sets the time limit.
Dave Lent — Identified as chair in the exchange.
Dave Lent — Addressed as chair in the exchange.
Emily McClure — Introduced herself as a lawyer and lobbyist testifying for the Idaho Charter School Network in support of House Bill 883.
Emily McClure — Emily McClure explained that the relevant provisions in 33-5218 are the criteria used for the charter school credit enhancement program and that those cross-referenced metrics are intended to identify schools that are healthy over the long term. She described the benchmark structure in charter performance certificates—academics, finance, and operations/governance—and noted that if schools fail to meet those terms, the authorizer can notify them and potentially take action. She then said the district criteria were not intended as a "gotcha," but were the closest approximation possible because districts do not have an authorizing body or performance certificate. McClure also addressed the exclusion of virtual charter schools, saying it was partly a political timing issue and that they could be included later if the legislature wanted to pursue that. Finally, she returned to the broader funding discussion, explaining that more flexibility in line-item spending would help schools use discretionary funds more effectively, including competing for and recruiting strong teachers.
James Woodward — Referenced as having described the concept earlier.
James Woodward — Likely intended reference in the garbled 'Senator Denhardtog' / 'Senator Dan Harttock' transcription, but uncertain.
James Woodward — Makes a motion to send House Joint Memorial 19 to the floor with a due pass recommendation.
Kevin Cook — Senator Cook questioned whether about 11 or 12 reports were being dropped and expressed concern about preserving enough reporting to maintain validation of performance. The response acknowledged the same concern and indicated that the issue had also been raised by others.
Kevin Cook — Asked Ms. McClure a follow-up question about why virtual schools were excluded.
Kevin Cook — Questioned how the bill relates to teachers and what the earlier virtual-school testifier meant.
Kevin Cook — The question was directed to Senator Cook in the committee exchange.
Kevin Cook — Moved to send House Bill 883 to the floor with a due pass recommendation.
Kevin Cook — Supported the legislation and noted broader trends in the session.
Kevin Cook — Commented that the bill fits a broader effort to reduce reporting and transfer charter successes into the public system.
Cindy Carlson — Briefly interjects, then the committee moves on.
Cindy Carlson — Senator Cindy Carlson asks follow-up questions about the bill’s reporting requirements and related exclusions. She first asks whether waiving certain reporting requirements would jeopardize federal funding, and then asks why virtual schools are excluded from the legislation. The chair responds that the waivers would not affect federal funding and that he is not sure why virtual schools are not included.
Catherine French — Announced as the next person to testify on video.
Kate French — Kate French, Chief Operating Officer of American Classical Schools of Idaho, testified in support of House Bill 883. She referenced her experience working with a high-performing charter network to argue for greater flexibility for strong charter schools, including reduced reporting burdens and better recognition of teacher experience. She concluded by asking the committee to vote yes on the bill.
Dr. Victoria Young — Dr. Victoria Young is announced as the next in-person witness and then provides testimony opposing House Bill 883. She argues the bill would create unequal treatment and undermine the concept of common schools, using the differing accountability requirements for districts versus charters as an example of inconsistent standards and inequity.
Van Burtenshaw — Senator Van Burtenshaw asks about unequal rules and follows up by requesting an example of what those unequal rules are.
Van Burtenshaw — Senator Van Burtenshaw asks what the U.S. Department of Education does and whether eliminating it would affect funding to Idaho. The discussion continues as the question is addressed by Senator Den Hartog, who responds that she does not have the funding number off the top of her head.
Janie Ward-Engelking — The sponsor references Senator Ward-Engelking as having served on an interim committee with him years ago.
Janie Ward-Engelking — Senator Janie Ward-Engelking says she is likely to vote no because she views the memorial as premature and too uncertain. The sponsor responds by acknowledging and appreciating her position, making this a single back-and-forth exchange about her concerns.
Janie Ward-Engelking — Raises concern that if the U.S. Department of Education disappears, the state may need to restore funding and staffing.
Carrie Semmelroth — Senator Carrie Semmelroth first referenced prior testimony that waived reports would not jeopardize federal funding, then thanked the sponsor and asked for clarification about how the bill applies to school districts versus charters. She noted that the charter criteria mention strong academic results but do not specify thresholds or the IRI, and the chair and Emily McClure responded directly to her questions.
Carrie Semmelroth — Senator Semaroff first thanks the sponsor for bringing the memorial to committee, then states that he cannot support it, indicating opposition to the memorial in the same discussion.
Jeannie Fishburn — Called to testify, but appears not to be present in person.
Edward Clark — Policy analyst with Idaho Family Policy Center who testifies in strong support of House Joint Memorial 19.
Victoria M. Young — The chair notes that Victoria wanted to testify on both items, but is signed up only for this one.
Dr. Victoria M. Young — Dr. Victoria M. Young, a veterinarian from Caldwell in District 11 with 41 years of practice, introduces herself and frames her testimony by emphasizing the importance of careful historical review as a basis for accurately diagnosing problems.
Tammy Nichols — Provides brief remarks in support of the memorial and references public comments by Superintendent Critchfield.