Douglas Pickett — Responded that administrative costs may currently be as high as 50% and explained the bill's intent as setting a business-model parameter.
Douglas Pickett — Representative Pickett responded to questions about the bill, explaining that homeschool students could use IDLA but would have to pay for it, and clarifying that outside users would not be taxpayer-funded. He then described the bill’s audit provisions, including an annual outside audit contracted by IDLA and a three-year incremental audit by LSO. He closed by saying the committee had reached consensus, did not want to cap enrollments, recognized IDLA’s importance, and aimed to realign the program.
Douglas Pickett — Douglas Pickett was repeatedly recorded as voting no during the roll call.
Chris Mathias — Representative Chris Mathias is called on and then asks Representative Pickett what problem the bill is intended to solve.
Chris Mathias — Representative Matthias is discussed in the context of how budget cuts should be implemented through the statutory framework, with follow-up concern about whether the bill would undermine IDLA’s original intent.
Chris Mathias — Asked Ms. Pyron how parents have reacted and how they might adapt to possible IDLA cuts.
Chris Mathias — Representative Chris Mathias is mentioned repeatedly during a brief voting sequence, but the transcript does not clearly capture how he voted. The references all concern the same unresolved vote and should be treated as one consolidated moment.
Barbara Ehardt — Representative Barbara Ehardt follows up on the bill’s fiscal impact, asking how it addresses potential double dipping, what the money and fiscal note implications are, and whether IDLA can tap educational reserve funds if it runs short.
Barbara Ehardt — Representative Ehart is called on to speak and then begins his remarks, thanking the chair and entering the discussion on the bill, including a question about the 30% administrative cost cap.
Barbara Ehardt — Representative Ehardt questions Dr. Simmons about how much of the budget and staffing is devoted to administration, asking whether the administrative share is within the cap and whether the bill would increase administrative staffing. Dr. Simmons responds that 24% of staff are classified as admin, while Ehardt continues pressing the issue and argues that the administrative/staff share may be closer to 50% of the budget, challenging the stated cap.
Barbara Ehardt — Barbara Ehardt was recorded in the roll call vote, with one mention showing a no vote and a later mention showing a yes vote, reflecting the voting sequence for the same member.
James Woodward — Likely the intended reference behind 'Representative Nelson'; the speaker appears to be addressing a member by the wrong name, but the transcript is unclear.
James Woodward — Representative Nelson asked how the bill would affect the dual credit landscape, and the response explained the shift from dual credit to advanced opportunities.
James Woodward — A colleague from District 19 was referenced in relation to a prior question about how to address concerns thoughtfully.
Jack Nelsen — Representative Jack Nelsen is addressed during an ongoing exchange of questions and comments. He is first invited to continue with several questions, then praised for a strong series of questions, and later directly engaged by another representative who agrees with him, indicating a continuous discussion centered on his questions and remarks.
Jack Nelsen — Jack Nelsen was called on to comment on the bill, saying the budget problems were self-inflicted and that the bill cuts too much from an excellent program. He was then recorded as voting yes.
Dale Hawkins — A speaker identified as 'Stettler' asked a question about the bill.
Dale Hawkins — Janet Avery thanked Chairman Dale Hawkins and other committee members for the opportunity to testify, and later continued her acknowledgments by again thanking Representative Hawkins along with Representative Gardner while responding.
Dale Hawkins — John Rader thanked Chairman Hawkins and the committee.
Dale Hawkins — During the exchange, speakers addressed the chair, referred to as both "Mr. Chairman" and "Representative Stodder" due to a likely transcription or labeling inconsistency. The mention reflects a single interaction in which the chair was being directly addressed.
Dale Hawkins — Chairman Dale Hawkins announced the roll call vote result, confirmed that the motion passed, said the committee would return to the subject on Monday, and reminded members to read the schedule before attending future meetings.
Soñia Galaviz — Was asked to provide an answer or clarification.
Soñia Galaviz — Representative Galaviz moved to send House Bill 918 to the floor with no recommendation and spoke in support of that motion. He explained that the bill was being handled thoughtfully to address concerns raised over time, including accusations of double dipping, overuse, virtual program access, and low fees. He questioned why fees were so low and why the state was covering costs, while also acknowledging that IDLA is a beloved and necessary rural resource. He noted frustration with having to work backward from a predetermined cut number, said JFAC might produce a deeper cut, and emphasized that he wanted to preserve IDLA. He concluded by recommending the bill be sent to the floor with no recommendation so the full House could have a more robust discussion about how to support public schools.
Dr. Jeff Simmons — Dr. Jeff Simmons, superintendent for IDLA, testifies that the bill would reduce access to IDLA courses, especially for rural students, and could increase out-of-pocket costs. He urges members to consider these impacts and offers to answer questions. In follow-up questioning, he explains that IDLA is intended to be a supplemental service, notes that House Bill 622 reflected the governor’s $10 million reduction, and addresses concerns about administrative spending by stating that 24% of staff are classified as administration, IDLA is currently below the 30% cap, the board approves staffing decisions, and the organization has no intention of increasing administrative staffing. He further explains that the mix of full-time staff and part-time teachers affects the budget percentages and reiterates that IDLA would remain within the 30% restriction.
Craig Miller — Craig Miller, principal of Meridian Tech Charter High School in Meridian, Idaho, explains that his school relies on IDLA for credit recovery, overload classes, and especially custom sections, which are its biggest use of the program and are cost-effective. He says it is difficult for a small charter school district of about 200 students to hire teachers for only a few sections without benefits, and asks the committee to consider the staffing and operational realities of charter schools before concluding by offering to answer questions.
Janet Avery — Janet Avery, Superintendent of Potlatch School District in Potlatch, Idaho, testified about how her district uses IDLA to expand learning opportunities for students. She expressed concern that the bill would raise the cost of elective IDLA courses needed for graduation and could limit access to dual credit courses if families must pay more. She noted that some families may opt out or that the district may need to absorb costs, which could reduce enrollment. Her testimony then concluded.
Dan Garner — Representative Dan Garner followed up on Avery’s testimony by asking how shifting district costs onto parents would affect families, student enrollment, and the district overall.
Dan Garner — Said he would not support the motion.
Dan Garner — Opposed the motion, argued IDLA should have autonomy over cuts, and said the proposed $3.7 million reduction to dual credits would hurt students and school choice.
Dan Garner — Voted yes.
Dan Garner — Voted yes.
Jason Moss — Jason Moss was introduced as the next virtual testifier and then testified as the superintendent of Grace School District in Grace, Idaho. He argued that IDLA is essential in a small rural district like Grace because it provides access to advanced coursework, electives, and core content that students otherwise would not have. He warned that the bill’s funding and governance changes could force districts or families to absorb costs for courses that no longer meet new criteria, reducing flexibility and creating barriers. He concluded that in Grace, IDLA is about access and opportunity, and that the bill would hurt rural districts.
Karen Pyron — Karen Pyron, vice chair of the Butte County School Board, testified that IDLA is essential for rural students to meet graduation requirements and access opportunities. She warned that cuts or loss of services would affect students, families, and district budgeting, and said the district is waiting for the issue to be resolved before deciding on staffing or course replacements. She added that the district would absorb costs for required graduation courses rather than pass them on to parents and would adjust once the final outcome is known.
Ryan Bowman — Ryan Bowman, superintendent of the Wendell School District, is introduced and then testifies in opposition to House Bill 918. He explains that Wendell Middle School uses IDLA to expand student opportunities, not for remediation, and that staffing limitations make it impossible to offer many of these courses in-house. He argues the bill would reduce or eliminate important course options and limit students’ access to a well-rounded education, then concludes by taking questions.
Matus, Alaroa (questionable) — Announced as the next testifier; name is uncertain due to transcription quality.
Matthew Valadeo (questionable) — Matthew Valadeo, a superintendent, speaks on behalf of his rural students and explains that IDLA dual enrollment has been transformative. He says it changed his own trajectory, helped him pursue post-secondary education, saved his family thousands of dollars in college costs, and gave him the confidence to continue toward college.
John Rader — John Rader was introduced as the next testifier and then began his testimony, identifying himself as the superintendent of the Cottonwood School District in Cottonwood, Idaho and starting to speak in opposition to House Bill 918, citing concerns about course flexibility in rural schools.
Luke Schroeder — Luke Schroeder was introduced as the final testifier and then identified himself as the Superintendent of the Kimballie School District. He thanked the committee and acknowledged Dr. Jess Simmons for leadership on IDLA issues.
Mark Sauter — Representative Sauter asked a series of follow-up questions about the bill’s provisions, first seeking clarification on funding for students and whether homeschool students could still access IDLA, then asking about the audit referenced in the bill and whether it would be conducted outside the typical state process by a third party.
Mark Sauter — Mark Sauter is mentioned twice in the context of a vote tally, first as a no vote and then as a yes vote, with his name garbled in both instances.
Clint Hostetler — Representative Clint Hostetler moved an amended substitute motion to hold House Bill 918 in committee, and his subsequent mentions reflect repeated roll-call votes in support of that action, all occurring within the same procedural discussion.
Kent Marmon — Requested a roll call vote.
Kent Marmon — Requested a roll call vote on the amended substitute motion.
Kent Marmon — Voted yes.
Kent Marmon — Voted yes.
Kent Marmon — Referenced jokingly for arriving at 8:30.
Kent Marmon — Referenced in a lighthearted comment about arriving at 8:30.
Clay Handy — During the roll-call vote, Representative Clay Handy voted no.
Ron Mendive — Ron Mendive was recorded in the roll-call vote, first as voting no and later as voting yes.
Tony Wisniewski — Tony Wisniewski is referenced in consecutive vote mentions, first as voting no and then as voting yes, indicating a roll-call or vote tally sequence involving the same member.