This bill appropriates approximately $3.1 billion in state and federal funds to Idaho's Public Schools Educational Support Program for fiscal year 2027, covering teacher salaries, student support services, facilities, and special education programs. It directs specific uses for the money, including professional development for educators, additional compensation for instructional staff, technology infrastructure purchases, and targeted funding for English language learners and students with disabilities. The legislation also establishes reporting requirements for how districts allocate funds and clarifies the original funding sources for these expenditures.
Topics
✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill appropriates $3.1 billion to fund public schools, including teacher salaries, student services, and facilities, directly strengthening state education budget.95% confidence
✓ EducationSupports EducationBill appropriates $3.1 billion for public schools, covering teacher salaries, student services, facilities, and special education programs.95% confidence
✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationBill provides funding for English language learners and students with disabilities, which includes immigrant students accessing educational services.75% confidence
✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill explicitly allocates funding for technology infrastructure purchases in public schools, directly advancing technology access and digital infrastructure in education.85% confidence
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Rep's Stance
✗ Voted No
✗ Opposes Education
This bill adjusts funding for Idaho's Division of Student Support for fiscal years 2026 and 2027, allocating $11.9 million from specific funds while reducing overall appropriations by nearly $10 million. The legislation lowers per-student funding for fully virtual schools, cuts $7.5 million in transportation reimbursements, and requires schools offering online classes to report enrollment and attendance data. It also modifies how English learner funds are distributed, establishes new requirements for technology education programs, and mandates a report on special education spending.
H 721 updates Idaho's building code rules for public school construction plans. It allows school districts to choose between local governments or the state division of occupational and professional licenses for plan reviews, but sets strict certification requirements for reviewers (e.g., International Code Council certification for structural reviews). The bill mandates a 30-day initial review timeline and limits fees for school plan reviews to those set by the state division. It directly affects public school districts, contractors, and local governments handling school construction projects.
Idaho's S 1336 requires all public high school students to demonstrate core virtues (like patriotism and justice) and master key principles of American self-government, including natural rights, the rule of law, and the separation of powers, before graduation. It mandates two credits each in American history and government for grades 9-12, with a full-year Western civilization course required for 8th graders by 2030. The bill specifies curricula must cover foundational documents (Declaration of Independence, Constitution), the American founding era, and the influence of Western traditions, while including instruction on how totalitarian ideologies like communism conflict with U.S. principles. These changes directly affect Idaho public school students and educators developing course materials. The law takes effect immediately upon passage.
This Idaho bill (H 516) prohibits public school staff from providing classroom instruction on sexual orientation or gender identity to students in kindergarten through grade 12. It requires schools to adopt policies banning such instruction unless it is age-appropriate and developmentally suitable per state standards. The law directly affects Idaho public schools and their curriculum decisions for all K-12 students. Key mechanisms include mandating school policies that prevent classroom lessons on these topics, while allowing age-appropriate discussions that align with educational standards. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026.
This bill amends Idaho school law to prohibit in-person student instruction on election days, ensuring schools do not operate as polling places unless a specific agreement is made between the county clerk and school district. It directly affects school districts, students, and election officials by restricting classroom activities during election periods while allowing exceptions for activities that do not require students to be inside buildings used for voting. The law permits professional development, training, and extracurricular activities on election days as long as they do not involve students being present in designated polling locations, and it grants the state board of education authority to waive instructional hour requirements when election-related closures are necessary.
This bill establishes the Idaho Student Safety and Educator Disclosure Act to enhance student safety by requiring schools to verify the background and conduct history of all school employees. It mandates that school districts require job applicants to provide sworn statements about any past investigations, resignations during investigations, or disciplinary actions for misconduct, while non-district schools must obtain written authorization to contact an applicant's past employers for the last ten years to verify such information. The law also requires schools to report certain misconduct-related resignations or terminations to the Idaho Professional Standards Commission and clarifies that schools cannot delay reporting child abuse to law enforcement to conduct internal investigations. Additionally, it provides legal protections for employers who share information in good faith and outlines specific conditions under which private school employees can bring claims against their employers.
This bill amends Idaho law to create a new Division of Career Technical Education within the state board of education, led by an appointed administrator. The division will coordinate career technical education efforts, develop virtual course options, and maintain a list of pathways that can be delivered online, in person, or through a mix of both. It also establishes new criteria for issuing teaching certificates to career technical education instructors, allowing individuals with industry certifications, significant professional experience, or relevant degrees to qualify if they complete approved training. Additionally, the bill ensures that postsecondary credits earned in career technical programs transfer at full value between public Idaho colleges and universities.
Idaho's H 711 creates an alternative pathway for school administrators to obtain temporary certification without traditional credentials. It establishes two routes: "grow your own" for experienced Idaho teachers (5+ years) and "executive leadership" for professionals from business/government/military (5+ years in leadership roles). The bill requires school districts to provide 70+ hours of structured mentoring over two years, using existing funds, and mandates competency assessments to address knowledge gaps. Successful completion leads to a standard administrator certificate, directly affecting school districts hiring principals/superintendents and career-changers entering education leadership.
This bill creates the Idaho High-Needs Student Fund to reimburse school districts and charter schools for special education costs exceeding $30,000 per student with a disability. It covers eligible expenses like therapy, specialized equipment, and nursing services directly tied to an individualized education program (IEP), excluding routine classroom costs. Reimbursement provides up to 100% of costs above $30,000 (capped at $80,000) and 80% above $80,000, with a maximum $100,000 per student annually. Funds are allocated 60% to non-rural and 40% to rural school districts, with annual reports required starting in 2028.
