A bill expanding career-technical education in rural Idaho passed out of the Senate education committee and awaits a final Legislative vote on the Senate floor next week.
House Bill 267, co-sponsored Superintendent of Public Instruction Debbie Critchfield and Rep. Judy Boyle (R-Midvale) would draw $50 million of one-time money from the in-demand careers fund, an $80 million-a-year pool of sales tax revenue, which lawmakers created in September’s special legislative session. The money would be used to start up costly CTE programs.
Supporters say the legislation would help start up costly CTE programs — and prepare students for careers after they finish school.
“This is how we get that done, outside our urban areas,” Critchfield told the panel.
The bill passed out of the committee on a 5-3 vote, with those who voted against the bill complaining about the cost.