CICSF Welcomes National Alliance of Public Charter Schools to Idaho’s School Choice Fight and Seeks Clarification on ICSA’s New Direction

The following is a response to this new article announcing the National Alliance of Public Charter Schools formation of Idaho Charter School Association.

CICSF Welcomes National Alliance of Public Charter Schools to Idaho’s School Choice Fight and Seeks Clarification on ICSA’s New Direction

Boise, Idaho - May 16, 2025 - The Coalition of Idaho Charter School Families (CICSF), representing thousands of families who have championed school choice and public charter schools since 2004, extends a warm welcome to the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools as it partners with the newly formed Idaho Charter School Association (ICSA). Established as a 501(c)(3) to bridge the gap between the Idaho Charter School Network (ICSN) lobbying organization and BLUUM, a funder of select charter schools, ICSA enters Idaho’s education landscape at a critical time. We invite the National Alliance to stand with Idaho’s charter school families on the front lines, where we have fought for two decades to ensure every child has access to high-quality, tuition-free public charter schools, including virtual charter schools that meet diverse student needs statewide.

As ICSA announces the appointment of Nanette Merrill as its Executive Director, effective July 1, 2025, we recognize her extensive experience in education and contributions to Idaho’s charter school community. However, the formation of ICSA and its ties to ICSN and BLUUM raise urgent questions about its intentions, particularly regarding virtual charter schools.

A legislative analysis recently obtained by CICSF reveals that lobbyists from ICSN and BLUUM have declared an aggressive stance against virtual charter schools, stating: “We anticipate that there will be a major debate next year regarding the overall academic performance of virtual charter schools and whether school districts should be allowed to authorize virtual schools that enroll students across the state. The ICSN will be involved in these debates in the next session.” This statement signals a coordinated effort to challenge virtual charter schools, which thousands of Idaho families rely on for flexible, innovative education options.

The Coalition of Idaho Charter School Families respectfully asks Ms. Nanette Merrill for clarification: Does she, as ICSA’s inaugural Executive Director with teaching experience primarily in Oregon, endorse the “war on virtual charter schools” that ICSN and BLUUM lobbyists have declared on behalf of her organization? Idaho’s charter school families deserve transparency on whether ICSA’s leadership will champion all charter schools—including virtual ones—or align with an agenda that threatens the educational choices we have fought to preserve.

“Idaho’s charter school families have led the charge for school choice since 2004, ensuring families can choose the best education for their children,” said China Gum, spokesperson for CICSF. “We welcome the National Alliance to join our fight, but we call on ICSA to clarify its commitment to all charter schools, including virtual programs serving thousands of students. Ms. Merrill has the chance to lead with unity and reject efforts that divide our community.”

The Coalition of Idaho Charter School Families remains dedicated to defending the full spectrum of public charter schools in Idaho. We urge the National Alliance, ICSA, and all stakeholders to collaborate with families to strengthen school choice, not restrict it. We await Ms. Merrill’s response and look forward to a future where every Idaho child has access to the education that best serves them.

###

For more information about the Coalition of Idaho Charter School Families, please contact china@insidebaseballpublicaffairs.com.

The Coalition of Idaho Charter School Families (CICSF) is a grassroots organization dedicated to advocating for the rights of families to choose high-quality, tuition-free public charter schools, including virtual and traditional models, that best serve their children’s educational needs. IDCharterCoalition.org

School Leaders: Sign on to Letter of Support for Dr. Alex Adams, Appointed by U.S. President to HHS

As you may know, Dr. Alex Adams—former Executive Director of the Idaho Public Charter School Commission—has been asked to serve the President and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. in a national capacity. We believe this recognition reflects not only his leadership skills, but the transformative impact he had on Idaho’s charter school community during his tenure.

Under Alex’s leadership, the Commission brought stakeholders together to pass House Bill 422, repealing and replacing outdated charter school statutes. He listened to parents, school leaders, and advocates—and built trust through collaboration. The reforms that followed didn’t just pass the legislature—they worked, improving conditions for schools and students across the state, especially those most at risk of being left behind.

We are circulating a letter of support recognizing Alex’s contributions to Idaho education and his role in elevating the charter sector through thoughtful, solutions-oriented leadership. If you would like to add your name as a signatory, please click “Sign Letter” below to send an email with your information. 

We’d be honored to include your voice in this effort to thank someone who helped shape a better future for our kids, schools, families and future workforce.

VICTORY: SB1188 Is Dead — School Choice Wins!

The Idaho Senate will not be advancing SB1188. That means this deeply flawed bill — which threatened to strip parents of their online school choices and throw tens of thousands of students into uncertainty — is officially dead.

This is a huge win for:

• Parents who chose online learning for their kids and refused to be silenced.

• Educators and school leaders who spoke out, mobilized families, and defended programs that are working.

• And most of all — for the 30,000+ Idaho students who rely on virtual education options across the state.

SB1188 would have reversed last year’s conservative reforms, expanded government bureaucracy, and forced thriving programs to seek uncertain approval from a state commission that wasn’t prepared to take them on.

It was rushed, it was wrong — and you helped stop it.

What We Learned

This fight exposed something bigger: there are powerful forces working to shut down online learning and keep parents out of the conversation. This cannot — and will not — happen on our watch.

We are already preparing for next session. We will retool, organize earlier, and come back stronger than ever to defend school choice and virtual education.

This is a win for families. And we have you to thank.

#SchoolChoiceWins #NoOnSB1188 #VirtualEducationVictory #ThankYouIdaho