Fox Against Giving Bonus To Teachers

If Idaho public schools Superintendent Anne Fox has her way, students, not teachers, will benefit from extra money generated by the state’s retirement fund.

Fox wants the Legislature to restrict the spending of some $6 million created by a temporary reduction in rates state agencies and school districts contribute to the Public Employees Retirement System of Idaho.

“We’re writing a piece of legislation that would restrict it to books, supplies, computers and related equipment,” Fox said.

Her legislation also would allow school districts to spend the surplus money on anything for which bonds can be passed. Fox’s legislation would not allow the money to be passed on to district employees as bonuses.

Some state agencies, including three of the state’s colleges and universities, have used the money as salary or bonuses.

A teachers’ union says it will fight efforts to restrict how money is spent.

“We will oppose any attempt by the state superintendent to put any restrictions on the money,” said Rob Nicholson, research director for the Idaho Education Association. “For them to say that teachers got raises so they should not get that money is ridiculous.”