Idaho budget hearing spotlights spike in special‑education disputes, new assessment and drivers‑ed funding requests

Jared Tetro, deputy division manager with the Legislative Services Office Budget and Policy Analysis Division, told the Joint Finance Preparation Committee on Oct. 12 that the State Department of Education’s budget request includes multiple personnel and program enhancements and several one‑time spending authorities.

The hearing focused on increases in special‑education workload, a request for $2.7 million in one‑time federal authority to transition to a new statewide student assessment platform, a proposal to raise drivers‑education reimbursement to $300 per student, and questions about how large federal grants and ARPA funds have been obligated and spent.

Tetro opened the presentation with a budget overview and said the department’s staff handle assessments, accountability, nutrition programs, federal programs, special education and other services. He noted the department was authorized for 126.5 full‑time equivalent positions in the current year with roughly 9.5 vacancies at the time of the budget submission and that personnel costs averaged about $13.5 million in recent years.

The hearing turned to special education after senators and representatives pressed Superintendent Debbie Critchfield about large year‑over‑year increases in complaints, mediations and due‑process hearings. Critchfield told the committee: “We have…