Education: Idaho’s Top Priority

by Senator Brent Hill

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I appreciate the many people who have asked about the public education reforms passed by the Idaho Legislature this year and the opportunity I have to respond. Because this issue affects so many of us, I have summarized some of the most common questions:

Q:  Why is education always the first to suffer budget cuts?

A:  Despite the pain being felt by public education, other state agencies were cut much sooner and much deeper than education. Over the past three years the legislature has reduced or eliminated programs across the state, all in an effort to preserve as much funding as possible for public education. Idaho has never been able to adequately fund education and this terrible economic recession has eroded state support even more, but public education is still the legislature’s top priority.

Q:  How much was the education budget cut?

A:  The general fund appropriation for K-12 actually increased 0.8% for next year reaching $1.224 billion, or 48% of the total general fund. Adding $337.5 million in federal and dedicated funds brings the total to $1.561 billion. That, however, represents a $47 million overall reduction due to a decrease in federal dollars. 

Q:  Why didn’t the legislature raise taxes to boost education funding?

A:  Many candidates, including Governor Otter, ran on a no-tax-increase platform and received overwhelming support from the citizens of Idaho. Couple that with the hardship increased taxes would have had on the 73,000 unemployed Idahoans, and there was just no chance of a tax increase.

Q:  Didn’t the legislature do anything to soften the economic blow to public education?

A:  Yes. Your local legislators were very involved in delaying the increase in the grocery tax credit, thus saving $15 million, all of which went to the education budget. We also secured more positions at the Tax Commission to collect unpaid taxes. That action will net another $15.4 million to fund education. Additionally, we implemented a funding mechanism that will direct additional money to public schools if revenues outpace projections. Based on current economic performance, K-12 may receive several million dollars in addition to the current appropriation. Of course, these positive actions were not as quick to make the news as more controversial issues were.

Q:  Why does the reform package replace teachers with computers?

A:  It was never suggested that computers would replace teachers. Technology will help the teacher be more effective in the classroom. Individual computers will open up a whole new world to students, particularly in rural districts where curriculum is limited. The possibilities are limited only by the teacher’s imagination.

Q:  Why was the Idaho Education Association so opposed to the education reforms?

A:  I cannot speak for the teachers’ union, but it obviously felt threatened by some of the reforms. Opening contract negotiations to the public and allowing variations in pay based on a teacher’s classroom performance were issues it particularly opposed.

Q:  Why was teacher tenure eliminated?

A:  Existing teachers retain their continuing contracts (“tenure”); only newly-hired teachers will receive one or two-year rolling contracts and they know that before they are ever hired. It is inappropriate that school boards should have to spend huge amounts of money that could otherwise be used for education to get rid of a single bad teacher. Every teacher is still guaranteed due process as protected under Idaho law.

Q:  Why was the business community so supportive of the education reforms?

A:  Business owners—those who will be hiring our students—are keenly aware of the skills necessary to compete in the high-tech business world. Most businesses have no financial interest in the reforms, except to produce better educated, more effective graduates.

Q:  What changes did the legislature make to the original education reform package?

A:  The increase in class size and elimination of teaching positions were removed. Online classes are no longer mandated. A task force of educators, administrators, etc. will develop plans for implementation of technology advances. The phase-in of laptops for students was pushed back another year and the school districts will own the computers. Dozens of other changes were made as a result of citizen input. Please know that we appreciated receiving your opinions on these bills. Your voice was heard and you made a difference!

There is much more to the education reform package. I would be happy to discuss it in detail with any group of citizens and welcome further input as we implement the new law.