Ybarra: ‘It’s a budget for our hopes and dreams, to help Idaho students achieve’

Summing up her budget presentation to lawmakers this morning, state schools Supt. Sherri Ybarra said there are seven major budget components: Restoring operational funding to 2009 levels; funding the teacher career ladder’s next steps; moving forward with the mastery-based education initiative; academic and college/career advising for students; math coaches, a $1.76 million item she’s requesting; literacy proficiency, a $6 million request; and rural schools centers.

“It’s a budget for our hopes and our dreams - most importantly, to help Idaho students and schools to achieve,” she said.

JFAC Co-Chair Shawn Keough, R-Sandpoint, called the presentation “a very thorough of your budget priorities and request – and you finished 5 minutes early. Good job.” The joint committee is now taking a break, and when it returns, lawmakers will question Ybarra about her proposals.