Democratic legislators shouldn’t be upset over a perceived slight from Republican counterparts who are questioning the need for a student loan forgiveness program.

They should simply be persistent, because at this stage of the game, every suggestion for improving Idaho education needs to be on the table for serious discussion.

At issue this week is reaction to comments made during a town hall Saturday held by Coeur d’Alene Reps. Luke Malek and Paul Amador. The two Republicans questioned the need for the Democrat-proposed Rural Teacher Loan Forgiveness Bill, which recommends giving teachers at rural schools as much as $3,000 a year in student loan forgiveness for up to four years.

As Rep. Paulette Jordan, D-Plummer, told The Press, Idaho’s teacher shortage is felt most painfully at rural schools. Local educators know the pecking order: New teacher starts at a rural school, gravitates ASAP to a district like Coeur d’Alene which can pay more and offer a different lifestyle, then goes on to a Washington school district which pays even more.

Rep. Jordan’s side of the story appeared in Tuesday’s Press, the same day another teacher shortage story noted that according to the Idaho Department of Labor, teachers here leave their jobs almost as often as do retail workers.

The idea behind the teacher forgiveness bill, that it might be one tool to help keep good young teachers in rural schools for at least four years, at least passes the smell test. According to 2015 data from The Institute for College Access and Success, the average debt per college graduate in Idaho was just over $26,000, with nearly three out of every four college grads indebted. Offering a total of $12,000 over four years for qualified teachers in rural schools could be a strong incentive to lower their debt enough so they can afford to live reasonably and independently. Also of great importance, an offer like that could help attract more good students to the teaching profession.

Over the past several years, thanks to legislative support of an education task force’s recommendations, Idaho has begun to make significant strides in shoring up K-12 education. More emphasis is being placed on getting kids up to grade level with reading. School districts now create annual plans for improving and monitoring student achievement. In all, 20 important recommendations are in play, and the long-term result should dramatically improve not just high school graduation and go-on rates, but better prepare our students for fulfilling careers and adulthoods. A new task force appointed by Gov. Butch Otter is now zeroing in on ramping up post-secondary education in Idaho; another vital step toward happiness and prosperity.

But none of it goes anywhere if we aren’t attracting, training and retaining excellent teachers.