EOB: Ed funding ‘probably not’ up to snuff

BOISE – Idaho is “probably not” meeting the state constitution’s requirements to provide for education, Gov. Butch Otter told a crowd of more than 400 people last week.

The implications of that are serious: The state currently is being sued over the issue.

“I would say we’re probably not, but we’re doing the best job that we can, and we’re going to continue to do the best job that we can,” the governor said.

The topic came up when Otter asked for questions at the end of his luncheon speech to the Associated Taxpayers of Idaho’s annual conference, a traditional run-up to Idaho’s legislative session. The first question came from former longtime state chief economist Mike Ferguson, who completed a study this year noting a sharp drop in the state’s investment in schools over the past decade and a half. More. Betsy Russell, EOB

What can be done to improve Idaho schools?