Forum: Perspectives on Education Policy

The K-12 public education budget takes up nearly half of Idaho's total state budget each year and how that money is spent can influence our state for decades to come. 

The state Legislature dictates how local education leaders can raise money for schools, sets base teacher salaries, tackles polarizing questions on school choice and vouchers, sets policy for how charter schools are created and run, reviews and approves curriculum guidance and much more. 

The City Club of Boise has invited leaders from two influential advocacy groups to share their often differing opinions on these policy questions for a discussion to be moderated by former City Club board member and Idaho Ed News senior reporter Kevin Richert. 

The event will feature Rod Gramer, CEO and president of Idaho Business for Education, which seeks "to create the highly-educated and skilled workforce our employers need for businesses to thrive in the 21st century," and Chris Cargill, founder, president and CEO of the Mountain States Policy Group, which stresses "free markets first" in education and other policy discussions. 

Panelists:

• Chris Cargill, Mountain States Policy Group
• Rod Gramer, Idaho Business for Education

Moderated by Kevin Richert, Idaho Education News

Where: Idaho State Museum

When: Wednesday, January 31, 2024 from 11:45 a.m. – 1:00 pm

This forum is sponsored by the Idaho Education Association and Idaho School Boards Association.

Tickets:

$10 Members registration (includes water, coffee, iced tea, and/or canned beverages as available at venue)

• Add lunch: $19

$16 Non-Members registration  (includes water, coffee, iced tea, and/or canned beverages as available at venue)

• Add lunch: $19

$350 Reserved Table for 8 guests

City Club thanks our Annual Sponsor University of Idaho, Boise, and the 2024 Forum Series sponsors: AARP of Idaho,  Idaho Education Association, SelectHealth, and Small Mine Development. Our media partners include Boise State Public Radio, Idaho Public Television and the Idaho Statesman. The Osher Lifetime Learning Institute is our Community Partner. This program is made possible in part by a grant from the Idaho Humanities Council, the state-based affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities.

If you have any questions, call 208-364-4614 and staff can assist you.