Legislators Want More Details As Fox Readies Education Budget

Idaho lawmakers were left wanting more information after new Superintendent of Public Instruction Anne Fox’s first budget talk with the Legislature Monday.

Fox’s budget proposal still is not ready. On Monday, she outlined the state Board of Education’s budget request to the House Education Committee.

Fox has said her own proposal will be $30 million less than the state board’s. Legislators are waiting for her recommendations, as well as a breakdown of impact by school district, to compare with the budget proposals of the state board and the governor. “We are all working very hard on the funding formula,” said Fox.

Rep. Fred Tilman, R-Boise, requested that current programs be reviewed for effectiveness. “I would like to see some justification the funds we are already spending.”

Rep. Carol Pietsch, D-Sandpoint, said it was too early to make any comment regarding Fox’s agenda. “We’ll have to wait and see until she’s finished making changes,” said Pietsch.

The controversy over Fox’s dismissal of several top Education Department staffers has not gone unnoticed in the Legislature.

Rep. Gayle Wilde, R-McCall, asked Fox to explain why she fired three Department of Education staffers. Fox said the changes were part of the reorganization.

“People who may have higher salaries or philosophies that aren’t in sync with what we’re attempting to do have been asked to leave so that we can reorganize,” said Fox.

After the meeting Fox said she is not surprised that she has been criticized for the firings, for purchasing $8,000 worth of new office furniture and for selling her Republican predecessor’s Buick and replacing it with a 1995 Ford Crown Victoria. “Anybody that’s new is going to be criticized,” said Fox.