Services for deaf and blind students weather budget cuts
Brian Darcy, administrator of Idaho Educational Services for the Deaf and Blind - formerly the Idaho School for the Deaf & Blind - is up next. He said the entity, created a year and a half ago, operates statewide, including within the state's school districts. The governor's budget recommendation for next year is for $2.6 million in total funds for outreach, and $4.9 million for on-campus services; that's a 1.3 percent decrease in total funds, and a 6.7 percent decrease in general funds. The agency offers preschool classes for deaf and blind students at districts around the state; provides books in braille and other resources; and operates the school, which runs from preschool through 12th grade, and includes both resident and day-school students. Budget cuts have resulted in a four-day school week, Monday through Thursday; teachers and staff have been furloughed.