Correction: Mike Moffett was vice chair for the school board and is acting chairman at this time.

After several years of unanswered questions that have been raised about some Idaho charter schools, I applaud the Idaho Charter Commission for taking bold steps and asking for heaps of information from the newly founded Nampa Classical Academy. It's a gutsy move. The Charter Commission's responsibility is to protect the taxpayers and this is an excellent start.

Thankfully, someone with authority is asking some critical questions.

Unfortunately, it will be misinterpreted by Nampa's newest charter supporters who already feel persecuted because the Charter Commission has ruled that Nampa Classical Academy can't use religious documents even though the state law allows it. That's why the charter founders are fighting a legal battle for their right to use the textbooks they deem appropriate without state oversight. The people behind this effort take this matter seriously. They are fighting for their children. The courts will decide how far a publicly funded school can bring religion into the classroom.

But there's more at stake than just your tax dollars. School choice advocates should be fearful right now. Why? Because the headlines coming from the Nampa Classical Academy could jeopardize the future of legitimate charter programs in the midst of another push to lift the limits of how many charters can open each year. It could be just the reason the Legislature says no to an expansion.

The debate about what textbooks — the Bible or any other religious document — is one thing. But now there's in-fighting and accusations of a serious conflict of interest. Anytime the "C" word gets raised, people should be nervous.

What's the conflict here? The acting chairman of the board of directors is Mike Moffett. His twin brother, Isaac Moffett, is the director of operations. Isaac reports to Headmaster Val Bush. As director of operations, founder Isaac — the man with the vision — is a nonvoting member of the board.

Val Bush works for the board. Isaac's twin brother, Mike, is the acting chairman. When the board discusses anything about Isaac, Mike must abstain. But no matter which way you slice or dice it, it's a conflict or it could become a serious conflict. If for some reason Isaac doesn't like reporting to his boss, Val Bush, who would stop Isaac if he bent his brother's ear and pushed for an ouster. I'm not saying that will happen. But it could happen. And who would know, unless someone divulged insider information?

It was stated at the Monday night meeting that Isaac wants to be the headmaster. A commenter, who appears to know quite a bit of inside information, said this Wednesday:

"As for Isaac Moffett's daughter making a statement that her dad will become headmaster, that is his goal and he has made that public to people that talk to him that he is seeking a graduate degree in adminstation for the purpose of being an adminstrator. Most educators that do this would like to lead a school. He would still have to apply when the current Headmaster stepped down or retired or whatever reason the position was opened up. That would still need to be brought before a BOD that would have to affirm the contract of anyone. If Mike Moffett were on this BOD which he hopes not to be forever, he would have to abstain from the discussion and vote of this matter. I do not see where people believe that one member out of the required five and employees working at the school in different capacities have any impact of a dictorial governance as has been stated."

Folks, no matter how hard anyone in this type of situation says there's no conflict, perception is 99 percent reality. It would be sad to see a school fall apart because twin brothers don't see a conflict of interest

I was pretty shocked when Mike Moffett's wife got up and shared information that her husband had told her about the Oct. 8 meeting and subsequent developments. Keep in mind that Mike didn't reveal that information. His wife did. It was clear that she had the blessing of her husband, Mike, and her brother-in-law, Isaac. In 30 years of covering a wide variety of tax-funded governing boards, I've never witnessed such an act.

As I listened to the people speak - from 8:15 p.m. to 1 a.m. Monday - I tried to place myself in the shoes of these parents. Imagine putting all your trust in the hands of people who have never operated a school. Read the list of questions that the Charter Commission has posed at the bottom of this story. They are very specific. Someone has pointed the Commission in the right direction and it will be interesting to see what the answers are.

On the other hand, most parents who spoke Monday night seemed happy with the education their children are getting. With the exception of one parent, who voiced concerns about material students are subjected to, parents said their children are happy. But this is disturbing ...

"At approximately the 18 minute mark on the second recording, the speaker is reading from a letter that asserts that their child is exposed to "fundamentalist" teachings and "anti-islamic" statements. I would suggest following up with that set of parents. This is what was warned about from the beginning based upon the idealogy of the founders. — BlueinIdaho

Listen to it here.

Think this doesn't matter? Think again. It's your tax dollars at work.