Do you remember your childhood with endless summers of fun, sleeping in, camps and sometimes vacations? Or if you are a parent, grandparent, guardian or someone who cares for children, summer is challenging. What do you do with your kids?

Television used to be a common concern for parents and teachers. Remember when your parents warned you that “TV will rot your brain”? Today, the threat has evolved. Phones, with their access to perverted social media, pose a significant risk to our children's emotional, mental and physical health.

Education in Idaho isn't just a problem, it's a crisis. It's in the top three issues facing every Idaho resident. Despite the state's significant investment in public education, Idaho's schools still don't meet national standards, teachers struggle with low pay, and the state struggles with a high dropout rate. Simply put, in 2024, Idaho's kids still won't graduate high school.

The biggest problem is the ongoing crisis in public education. This crisis encompasses a range of problems, from inadequate funding and resources to outdated teaching methods and a lack of support for teachers. In response, politicians and parents are advocating tax breaks for homeschooling and private schools as a possible solution.

Schools continue to close in Idaho due to lack of funding. How many schools have to close before someone decides that drastic measures are not an option but a necessity in the face of abysmal test scores? It's time for a full audit of how the state spends its money on education. There is no legitimate reason for schools in Kuna, Caldwell and Nampa to be closed when Idaho's population is growing.