Public education budget headed to Idaho governor’s desk

BOISE – Idaho’s public schools funding proposal for fiscal year 2017 – the largest share of the state’s budget – is headed to Gov. Butch Otter’s desk.

Lawmakers have agreed to boost public school funding by 6.8 percent, or $100.3 million. However, other components of the K-12 budget plan have also made their way through the House and Senate. This means the total public education budget will be 7.4 percent higher than the previous year.

The Senate unanimously approved the budget proposal on Wednesday after it cleared the House earlier this session with minimal opposition.

Otter has already expressed disappointment in the proposed budget, but has not given indication that he would consider a veto.

The public schools budget includes funding for the second year of the teacher career ladder program, which is designed to steadily boost teacher pay to retain and attract experienced teachers in Idaho.