Superintendents advocate for funding flexibility at Bonneville and Grace school districts

The Senate Education Meeting held on March 10, 2025, focused on critical discussions regarding school funding and the impact of student enrollment changes on district budgets. Key points included the need for flexibility in funding allocation to better accommodate fluctuating student numbers.

Chairman Lint and Senator Cook addressed concerns about how funding is tied to student enrollment. They noted that if a district loses students, it would naturally receive less funding, as allocations are based on average daily attendance. This system aims to ensure that districts are not overfunded relative to their actual needs.

Superintendent Scott Wolstead Hume from Bonneville School District emphasized the long-standing issue of reduced flexibility in funding since 2016. He explained that the shift from funding based on attendance to enrollment initially provided a temporary boost in resources. However, as the funding reverted to attendance-based calculations, his district faced a significant budget shortfall of $4 million. Hume warned that without the ability to adjust class sizes and manage staffing more flexibly, essential support positions, such as special education paraprofessionals and custodians, may need to be cut.

Jason Moss, superintendent of Grace School District, echoed these concerns, highlighting the challenges faced by smaller districts. He reported a loss of approximately 3% in funding flexibility, which complicates financial planning and staffing decisions. Moss pointed out that maintaining small class sizes is crucial for student success, but current funding constraints make it difficult to achieve this goal.

The meeting concluded with a call for further discussion on these issues, as committee members expressed interest in hearing more from educators about the implications of funding policies on their districts. The ongoing dialogue underscores the importance of addressing funding flexibility to support the educational needs of Idaho's students effectively.