A Simple Solution to School Overcrowding

Many Treasure Valley Schools are experiencing significant growth in student enrollment. Although Idaho reported average cost per student ADA in 2004-2005 at $8,071, the marginal cost, or cost to add a new student was $26,815! In financial terms, the Districts are suffering huge diseconomies of scale. The Districts have responded to this new growth by levying enormous new property tax bonds.

The good news for taxpayers and parents is that there are many excellent private schools that charge less than $4,000 per year in tuition. Idaho could do what has been done in Florida and other states and give parents vouchers to attend these other schools and not increase property taxes at all.

Overcrowded school districts could make room by simply offering vouchers to current and new students and let parents choose what school is best for their children. The Districts could keep raising the value of the voucher until the classrooms are at their target levels. This kind of economizing is frequently done in the airline and other industries.

Wouldn’t the fiscally responsible choice be to save taxpayers $22,815 per student by offering vouchers? It’s time to give school choice a chance at improving public education and lowering taxes.