With Idaho sitting on a budget surplus of about $1.4 billion, the Superintendent’s budget proposal calls for an 8.5% overall increase.
Some of the notable highlights include:
> $39.3 million for optional full-day kindergarten for eligible students
> An additional $82.8 million to fund the next phase of the Career Ladder teacher compensation plan, including an additional step for veteran teachers
> A 6% increase in salary funding for classified/support staff
> An increase of 5.3% in operational funding
“There are some encouraging signs in the Superintendent’s budget, especially in the areas of professional personnel and early childhood education,” says IEA President Layne McInelly. “There are a couple of things to keep in mind, however. One is that Idaho remains dead last in the nation in per student funding. The second is that the state is sitting on a $1.4 BILLION budget surplus, which presents a great opportunity for a game-changing commitment to our students and schools.”
