School funding plan pleases educators

Local school officials are happy with the Idaho Legislature’s proposed a $100 million funding increase to the state’s public schools budget, which includes $62 million to fund the third year of the career ladder for teachers.

The $1.67 billion budget was approved Monday by the Joint Finance and Appropriations Committee and represents the state’s largest expense. It still needs House and Senate approval and the governor’s signature.

“The budget they passed is definitely somewhat of a surprise to me,” said Jerry Keane, superintendent of the Post Falls School District. “There were some things in there that hadn’t really been discussed earlier on [like technology funding], but I was pleased to see the commitment to the career ladder and other programs in there that will help the district”/ Bethany Blitz , Coeur d’Alene Press. More here.