Forgive loans for rural teachers?

BOISE – A bill intended to help rural school districts attract and retain quality teachers was introduced in the House Ways and Means Committee on Thursday.

The legislation, sponsored by Reps. Paulette Jordan, D-Plummer, and Sally Toone, D-Gooding, would provide $3 million for a student loan forgiveness program aimed at rural teachers.

Eligible teachers would receive $3,000 per year for as many as four years. A maximum of 1,000 teachers per year could receive the awards.

“It’s long overdue for us to talk about the teacher crisis in rural districts,” Jordan told the committee.

Part of the reason she ran for office in the first place, she said, was because a friend who is a teacher was laid off and funding for her son’s gifted and talented program was cut.

“We’re suffocating our rural districts and demanding that they rely on (local) bond levies to survive,” Jordan said. “I send my kids to school in Spokane because I want to give them the best education possible. Four years ago, the school told me they didn’t have the resources to educate my children. That’s my reality.”

House Assistant Majority Leader Brent Crane, R-Nampa, said it’s “tragic” that a sitting legislator has to send her kids out of state to get a decent education.

“This bill merits discussion,” he said.

Toone, who has worked in public education for 37 years, noted that her school district couldn’t find certified teachers for 120 classes this year.

The committee agreed to introduce the bill. However, lawmakers are on track to adjourn by March 24, so it appears unlikely that there will be enough time for the measure to move through the process.