Land Board OKs $22M For Schools

Idaho Gov. Butch Otter, seated, talks to state Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Luna on Wednesday as the state Land Board considers Luna’s request to draw on a reserve fund to benefit public schools in Boise, Idaho. (AP Photo/The Idaho Statesman, Joe Jaszewski)

The Land Board has voted 3-2 to approve a $22 million distribution to public schools next year, which Secretary of State Ben Ysursa said will leave two years worth of reserves. “This is a one-time request of funding,” Superintendent of Schools Tom Luna said, “and therefore I think we have the information necessary. We have the authority and the legal right to do this, and I think that’s clear as trustees that’s not only the right but the responsibility that we have”/ Betsy Russell , Eye On Boise. More here .

• Land Board meeting starts
• Luna: Move is ‘prudent and responsible’
• Luna: Without $$$, schools will suffer long term
• Ysursa: We have an obligation to present as well as future
• Otter: ‘We’re faced with a constitutional dilemma’
• Luna: ‘This board has authority’
• Endowment official: Luna’s numbers are accurate
• Timber earnings are ‘volatile’
• Former Land Board members speak for, against
• First motion fails , and: More motions

Question: Did the split Land Board do the right thing by OK’ing a $22M transfer from the school endowment fund to help underwrite public schools now?