JFAC approves multiple K-12 budget adjustments, including supports for deaf/blind services and teacher pay adjustments

The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee voted Thursday to add targeted funding across several K–12 programs, including a $504,900 increase for Educational Services for the Deaf and the Blind and adjustments to teacher pay and forecast-driven support-unit funding.

Committee members approved an increase of $504,900 for the Educational Services for the Deaf and the Blind to cover career-ladder equivalents, recruitment and retention compensation, an early childhood outreach administrator, a regional consulting teacher, and endowment fund adjustments. The motion was moved by Representative Miller and seconded by Senator Galloway; the committee announced a combined tally of 19 ayes, 0 nays and 1 absent/excused.

The panel also approved a $1,630,500 add for the teachers division to cover a population forecast adjustment tied to staff placement and movement on the career ladder. That motion was moved by Senator Ward Engelking and seconded by Representative Petzke and carried on roll call with the committee reporting a combined 19 ayes, 0 nays and 1 absent/excused.

Separately, the committee approved a $9.5 million one-time supplemental from federal grant funds to the public school support program student support division to account for federal grant payments that districts were eligible to receive but that reached appropriation caps in fiscal 2024. Representative Galvez moved the supplemental; Senator Carlson seconded. The committee reported a final tally reflecting a majority in favor and recorded the motion to go forward with a do-pass recommendation.

A later motion that reorganized ongoing and dedicated funding within the student support division (including shifting endowment distributions and population-forecast adjustments) was moved by Senator Ward Engelking. The prepared motion as presented reduced $17,197,900 from the general fund while adding dedicated and federal funds for a net total change displayed in the motion; the committee approved the motion and recorded it as carrying forward with a do-pass recommendation.

Why this matters: The changes reflect both one-time federal adjustments and ongoing, formula-driven funding shifts that affect district and program-level budgets across Idaho public schools. Several items tied to statutory formulas and recently enacted legislation were clarified on the record by analysts prior to votes.

Votes at a glance: - Educational Services for the Deaf and the Blind — Motion (Rep. Miller): add $492,000 general fund (plus $12,900 dedicated) for a total of $504,900. Committee tally announced: 19 ayes, 0 nays, 1 absent/excused. Outcome: approved and to go forward with a do-pass recommendation. - Teachers division population forecast adjustment — Motion (Sen. Ward Engelking): add $1,630,500 general fund. Committee tally announced: 19 ayes, 0 nays, 1 absent/excused. Outcome: approved and to go forward with a do-pass recommendation. - Public school support student support division supplemental — Motion (Rep. Galvez): add $9,500,000 one-time from federal grant fund. Committee recorded the motion as passed (Senate and House roll calls reported). Outcome: approved and to go forward with a do-pass recommendation. - Student support division FY2026 budget rebalancing — Motion (Sen. Ward Engelking): package of reductions and increases across general, dedicated, and federal funds (motion text in packet). Committee announced the motion would go forward with a do-pass recommendation.

Committee context and next steps: Analysts repeatedly noted where adjustments were tied to enacted statutes or to pending legislation (for example, provisions tied to the career ladder and to the people-transportation formula). Several analysts directed members to table exhibits in the packet showing 10-year enrollment history and divisors used for funding. The motions will be carried forward to subsequent legislative steps per the committee process.