Idaho schools chief Ybarra seeks 6.8% increase for 2018-19 budget

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Idaho Superintendent of Public Instruction Sherri Ybarra is asking for a nearly 7 percent increase in state spending for the 2018-19 school year.

Ybarra on Friday outlined her $1.78 billion spending proposal for the 2018 Legislature.  The dollar amount is $113.6 million – or 6-point-8 percent – more than the appropriation for the current academic year.

Of the requested increase, $35.6 million is required by law to address growth, and $56.5 million is tied to initiatives from the Governor’s Task Force recommendations on improving public education in Idaho.

Some of the key investments in the budget blueprint for public schools include $46.6 million for the Career Ladder, Idaho’s funding for teacher salaries, PERSI increase, and a minimum salary of $35,800.

Among other earmarks is $19 million for district discretionary costs, including a 4 percent increase in funds for health insurance, and a 3 percent hike in operational costs.

Also included is $8.6 million to support classroom technology, wireless infrastructure, and student information and management systems; $8 million for Advanced Opportunities, which provides secondary students chances to take college credit classes and other advanced work; $2 million for College and Career Advising and Mentoring; $1.4 million for expansion of the state’s mastery based education initiative; and $1.3 million for the state’s new science assessment.

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