JFAC advances multiple K–12 budget items, approves transportation pilot and several supplemental requests

The Joint Finance‑Appropriations Committee (JFAC) considered and voted on a package of K–12 budget adjustments and supplemental requests during its session. Committee members approved adjustments that include targeted compensation for hard‑to‑fill positions, enrollment and population forecast updates across several divisions, a one‑time student transportation routing pilot and a supplemental appropriation to reconcile federal grant shortfalls.

The committee approved a motion to add $504,900 in FY2026 for the Educational Services for the Deaf and the Blind to fund career‑ladder equivalencies, recruitment and retention pay, an additional early‑childhood outreach administrator, a Region 4 consulting teacher, and an endowment adjustment. Representative Miller, who moved the motion, urged support noting the difficulty of recruiting instructors in this field. The motion passed with the committee reporting a combined vote of 19 ayes, 0 nays, 1 absent/excused.

JFAC also approved a $1,630,500 increase in FY2026 for the public school support program (teachers division) to cover a population forecast adjustment and career‑ladder placement and movement costs. The motion carried unanimously as recorded during the committee roll call.

A $9.5 million supplemental request for the public school support student support division — intended to cover federal grants (primarily Title I-A and Part B/IDEA payments that were eligible in FY2024 but paid out of FY2025 appropriations) — was approved as a one‑time federal grant fund appropriation. The committee recorded the motion and subsequent roll call indicating majority approval.

On broader student support budgeting, JFAC approved a FY2026 motion that reduces $17,197,900 from the general fund, increases dedicated and federal funds, and produces a net increase that reflects reallocations (including a $9.5 million federal programs increase and endowment adjustments). Committee discussion included an analyst explanation of a 10‑year enrollment history and the mechanics of support units used in the funding formula.

The Idaho Digital Learning Academy (IDLA) received approval for a population‑forecast increase of $3,577,600 in FY2026. Motions accompanying IDLA also include language limiting use of the public education stabilization fund for IDLA and reducing the statutory tuition IDLA may charge (from $75 to $40), and a requirement that future legislatures consider verification policies to confirm state funds match individual students.

JFAC approved a $2.2 million one‑time pilot to procure student transportation routing software to pilot GPS‑based routing and remove paper‑based tracking of miles.

The State Department of Education received a package of enhancements and one‑time funds covering items such as a dispute resolution specialist, charter school special education support, an Idaho reading indicator contract amount, a student data/dashboards requirement, a child nutrition technology grant, and continuing support for underperforming charter schools. The committee also approved language requiring monthly data files from the IC system to Legislative Services (with student‑identifying data omitted) and directed reporting on underperforming charter schools.

A $33,601 supplemental from the School Bus Camera Fund to implement statutory allowances approved in last session’s House Bill 610 was approved to support cameras, bus arms and software for bus safety.

Votes recorded during the meeting were entered on the record after each motion. Several items passed with near‑unanimous support; a few items drew limited opposition during roll calls recorded in committee.

Votes at a glance (selected items recorded in committee): - Educational Services for the Deaf and the Blind: FY2026 +$504,900 (general/dedicated) — committee: 19 ayes, 0 nays, 1 absent/excused. - Teachers division (population forecast): FY2026 +$1,630,500 (general fund) — committee: unanimous recorded approval. - Student support division supplemental (federal grants): FY2025 +$9,500,000 (federal) — committee: approved. - Student support division (FY2026 motion with reductions/transfers): net reallocation resulting in a net increase (detailed in packet) — committee: approved. - Idaho Digital Learning Academy: FY2026 +$3,577,600 (general fund); accompanying fee and statutory language changes — committee: approved. - Central services student transportation pilot: FY2026 +$2,200,000 (one‑time general fund) — committee: approved. - State Department of Education package (personnel, grants, reading indicator, report card/dashboard, underperforming charter support): FY2026 totals across funds approved; committee adopted related data‑sharing and reporting language — committee: passed with recorded totals showing some dissent in the House delegation. - School Bus Camera Fund supplemental: FY2025 +$33,601 (school bus camera fund) — committee: approved.

The committee chair and staff noted that some items include statutory edits and conditions, and several items were accompanied by intent language and reporting requirements. Several agenda items will proceed to subsequent legislative steps; a few items require future appropriation or legislative action to be fully implemented.

Ending: Committee members emphasized monitoring and follow up — including forensic audits in a separate agency matter discussed later — and scheduled continued work and briefings next week on remaining budgets.