Idaho Senate approves school budget, sends it to Gov. Otter

BOISE – A budget for Idaho’s public schools for next year that reflects 6.3 percent increase in funding cleared the Idaho Senate on a series of unanimous votes Wednesday and headed to the governor’s desk.

The school budget, which comprises seven separate bills, accounts for 48.8 percent of Idaho’s general fund spending, adding up to nearly $1.7 billion. A key item in the budget is $62 million to fully fund the third year of Idaho’s “career ladder” teacher pay plan, which is being phased in over five years.