Legislative Priorities / Superintendent of Public Instruction / Idaho State Department of Education (SDE)

Superintendent Ybarra’s Fiscal Year 2023 budget request for public schools totals just more than $2.2 billion in General Fund appropriations. The current Fiscal Year 2022 budget appropriation was $2.048 billion, but the superintendent has requested a supplemental appropriation that would increase the current year to $2.081 billion. Her request for next year includes more than $39 million to fund optional full-day kindergarten for Idaho’s at-risk students (nearly 67% of incoming kindergarten students). It also includes a significant increase in funding for school support staff in an effort to close the gap between what the state provides in funding and what school districts and charter schools must pay to recruit and retain essential non-instructional staff.

Superintendent Ybarra’s Fiscal Year 2023 budget request for public schools totals $2.2 billion in General Fund appropriations, including $133.1 million, or a 6.4 percent increase, in new funding over last year’s appropriation. The request prioritizes people – students, teachers and staff.

Full-day Kindergarten

The budget request includes $39 million for optional all-day kindergarten for at risk students. The amount was calculated based on a three-year average of Kindergarten fall IRI scores and economic status, with 66 percent of incoming students identified as at risk. The Superintendent’s request also includes $100,000 for a statewide kindergarten screener that all districts can use. For those districts that already have a screener, they can continue to use their choice of screener.

Educator Compensation

The budget request includes more than $49 million in additional funds to continue increasing pay for our educators. The COVID pandemic has made the teacher shortage even more urgent due to the fear and extra workload caused by the pandemic. It is essential to continue to improve teachers’ salaries to attract individuals to the profession and reward and retain experienced teachers.

Classified Staff and Administrator Salaries

Superintendent Ybarra’s budget request includes approximately $10.3 million in new funding for a 6 percent increase in classified staff pay and $2.1 million and a 2 percent increase for administrators (combined total is $12.4 million). Teachers are essential, but so are the classified staff who keep our schools running and support students. There are shortages across the board in school staffing, and the gap between what the state provides to fund these positions and what districts and charter schools have to pay continues to grow.

Literacy

Next year’s budget request includes ongoing funding of $26 million to continue the state’s focus and support for K-3 literacy. The interruptions to in-person instruction and a decline in kindergarten enrollment increase the importance of literacy intervention programs and support for struggling readers. Districts and charter schools will likely need additional funds and resources for literacy intervention programs in grades K-3 in coming years.

Advanced Opportunities

The Fiscal Year 2023 budget request also includes $33 million in total to fund Advanced Opportunities. This is a $3.3 million increase to fund the expanded opportunities, including workforce training courses and apprenticeships.

Civics Standards

Superintendent Ybarra plans to bring forward a resolution to establish standalone civics standards for Idaho public schools. Civics education is essential to sustain our democracy and our Constitution. Ensuring that students are informed, effective, and responsible citizens requires more focused and defined civics standards.