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JFAC increases funding for Idaho Digital Learning Academy; committee enacts fee and PISAF language
Summary
The Joint Finance‑Appropriations Committee approved a $3.58 million FY2026 general‑fund increase for the Idaho Digital Learning Academy and adopted language limiting stabilizaton fund withdrawals and reducing IDLA's statutory tuition from $75 to $40.
Analysts told JFAC that the Idaho Digital Learning Academy (IDLA) expects a significant rise in enrollment next fiscal year — from 49,680 students to an estimated 58,000 — and asked for a $3,577,600 increase in FY2026 to reflect the population forecast adjustment. The committee approved that adjustment on the motion before it.
Mr. Tetrault (budget and policy analyst) explained that House Bill 452 revised IDLA’s funding formula in the prior session, tying IDLA appropriations to enrollment growth at IDLA rather than a prior public‑school‑growth measure; the new formula is projected to save the state approximately $2.8 million next year compared with the prior approach, he told the committee.
Language the committee accepted on unanimous consent instructs that IDLA shall rely on existing cash balances for any eligible enrollments above the appropriation in the current year and not withdraw from the Public Education Stabilization Fund (PISAF) for those costs. The motion also included an amendment to lower the statutory IDLA tuition cap from $75 to $40 and required future consideration of policies to verify state funds provided for IDLA students match individual enrollment.
Committee members asked clarifying questions about the tuition change and the calculation of the 5% CEC adjustment that affects enrollment and personnel cost calculations. Analysts confirmed the change to the enrollment divisor and the tuition cap and advised that some IDLA revenue sources (royalties/interest) were being shifted between general and dedicated funds in the budget motions.
Ending: The motion passed on the committee floor and will proceed to the next legislative step with the adopted statutory language and reporting expectations embedded in the bill packet.
