Ybarra releases school budget proposal calling for 6.6% increase in state funding next year

Idaho state schools Superintendent Sherri Ybarra released her budget proposal for the state’s K-12 schools for next year today, and she’s proposing a $105 million, 6.6 percent increase in state funding. “I’m feeling really good about this request,” Ybarra told Idaho EdNews. “The Legislature has been very kind to education, and there is a concerted effort to continue that.” Lawmakers have approved a 7.4 percent increase in public school spending in each of the past two years.

The single biggest piece of the increase – $57.8 million – would fund the next stage of the state’s new teacher career ladder, increasing teacher pay and benefits. The plan also calls for boosting discretionary spending per classroom from this year’s $25,696 – which brought that funding back up to 2009 levels – to $26,467 next year. Other funding boosts would go to support classified staff; technology; college and career advising; math coaches; and the second phase of this year’s reading initiative.

Idaho EdNews reporter Clark Corbin has a full report here . You can see Ybarra’s budget document here , and an overview here .