Luna makes Recommendations for Idaho Schools

Superintendent Tom Luna opened his presentation to members of the Joint Finance and Appropriations Committee (JFAC) this morning by saying, “I do not want to cut education funding. Unfortunately, with the economic outlook getting worse every day, public education can no longer sit this one out. With input from educational stakeholders from across the state, I crafted a thoughtful, measured and strategic budget that will move student achievement forward in the coming year despite a reduction in the amount of money we will spend.”

He then recommended $62 million in cuts to the FY10 public schools budget:

1. Reduce the discretionary funds by the amount the state distributes for maintenance and allow local school districts to expend maintenance funds on things other than maintenance projects ($20.8 million)
2. Eliminate state reimbursement for field trips, repair trips, etc. ($2.5 million)
3. Do not allow urban districts access to all of the cost-per-mile measures for student transportation ($1.7 million)
4. Reduce the administrative staff allowance in the funding formula, which would effectively eliminate 35-40 administrative positions ($3.9 million)
5. Eliminate the Early Retirement Incentive Program for teachers ($4 million)
6. Freeze the experience movement on the salary grid for one year ($6.13 million)
7. Reduce base salaries for all school personnel (teachers, administrators, and classified employees) by the equivalent of three contract days and specify that local districts decide how to absorb the resulting loss of funds, possibly through attrition, furloughs or pay cuts ($14.15 million)
8. Reduce the discretionary funds by the amount school districts are required to match for textbooks and then relieve districts from the requirement to provide matching funds ($3.3 million)
9. Reduce state funding for textbooks by 40% ($3.8 million)
10. Reduce funding for classroom supplies from $350 to $300 per classroom teacher ($781,000)

Luna also recommended the legislature transfer $17 million from the Public Education Stabilization Fund into next year’s appropriation.