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Idaho lawmakers are looking to expand options for students to go to schools other than public ones, but that could impact funds for rural schools.

In his State of the State speech, Governor Brad Little proposed adding $150 million to the budget for schools.

That includes $50 million for so-called school choice programs, which fund students going to private schools.

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However, Superintendent of the Fruitland School District Stoney Winston said this will hurt rural school districts like his, which are already underfunded, and could mean finding funds in other ways - like local voter-approved taxes.

"Rural districts are not only sending their money in public tax dollars to support private education," said Winston, "but now they're having to pony up some money in order to meet some basic needs for the rural school districts."

State lawmakers are listening to Little's proposal.

House Bill 1 is the Idaho Parental Choice Tax Credit, which provides up to $9,500 in tax credit to parents or guardians for the expense of non-public schools.

Little said expanding school choice is needed in particular for "students with unique physical or developmental conditions."

But Winston pointed out that public special education is underfunded, and also that private schools aren't under the same obligations as public schools.

"Private schools don't have to take students with disabilities," said Winston. "Public schools are mandated to do so, and I don't see that as a bad thing. I think that's what we should be doing, and we should be taking those students and making sure that we're giving them the best education possible to fit their needs."

Winston said lawmakers should take a step back and consider what they want education to look like in 20 years, especially in rural Idaho.

"Our rural schools are the heart of communities," said Winston, "and I don't want to see that destroyed in the future."