Committee reviews public school support budget; analysts flag enrollment, funding shifts

Boise — The Joint Finance‑Appropriations Committee on March 4 heard a high‑level briefing on the state’s public school support program, including drivers of year‑to‑year change and pending statutory issues that would affect next year’s appropriation.

Jared Tetrault, deputy division manager with the Legislative Services Office Budget and Policy Analysis Division, told the committee the public school support program serves 115 local school districts and about 75 public charter schools and is organized into six budget divisions, including a new student support division. "For every support unit the state will fund 1.55 full‑time equivalent positions," Tetrault said, describing how the state distributes much of its school funding.

The briefing centered on why appropriations moved in recent years. The LSO presentation noted that a shift back to Idaho law’s requirement that funding distributions use average daily attendance rather than enrollment has produced an effective reduction in support units. That change, combined with the end of ARPA/ESSER one‑time funds and other formula effects, contributed to a net drop in funded support units — the presentation referenced an estimated 200 fewer support units for the coming year.

The change in units was a frequent topic during questions. Senator Ward‑Engleking asked why support units fell despite…