Rep. Linden Bateman, R-Idaho Falls, who like Ringo is a retired teacher, debated in favor of SB 1108. He said there are "problem teachers" and the current system is unable to remove them. "I believe that our inability to remove poor teachers helped fuel the home-schooling movement," said Bateman, who said he taught in public schools for 27 years.

Bateman said the debate has been difficult for him. "I'm losing some lifelong friends," he said. "People  that I taught with for 30 years won't talk to me." He said, "Their fears are unwarranted." Idaho won't engage in "wholesale removal of teachers" under the bill, he said. He urged lawmakers to vote "yes" on the bill.