Legislators Press CTE on Waitlists, Funding and $10 million Governor Proposal

The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee on Feb. 10 heard an overview of the Division of Career Technical Education (CTE) budget, a rundown of FY2026 requests and questions from committee members about waitlists, faculty and facilities.

CTE is a statewide system that spans secondary schools, six technical colleges, adult education programs and workforce training centers. Kevin Campbell, a budget and policy analyst with the Legislative Services Office, summarized the division's base budget, noted multiple one-time and ongoing appropriations in recent years and identified several funds that support CTE programs.

Campbell said CTE "plays a central role in Idaho's ongoing workforce development efforts," and described revenue sources including the Displaced Homemaker Fund (supported by a $20 fee on divorces), the Hazardous Materials and Waste Enforcement Fund (supported by hazmat permits) and the Motorcycle Safety Fund (supported by driver's license and motorcycle permit fees). He said CTE typically spends nearly 100% of its appropriations but had reappropriations in FY2022 and FY2024 related to federal funds.

Joshua Whitworth, executive director for the State Board of Education and interim director for the CTE division, answered committee questions about demand, staffing and specific line items. Whitworth said current federal funding “is available” but cautioned the state must be diligent about when to draw federal dollars and follow applicable guidance.

Committee members pressed Whitworth on oversubscribed programs and waitlists. Whitworth said demand has grown substantially across secondary and postsecondary CTE, and that both faculty shortages and facility limits constrain expansion. "We need a number of faculty to teach it," he said, and also noted facility constraints such as the number of welding booths required to expand welding classes.

Lawmakers asked for more detail on several requested items: a $664,000 ongoing request for additional instructors at technical colleges; a $125,400 position for a business-industry engagement manager intended to help rural school districts connect programs to local employers; $50,000 for adult education and literacy; and smaller spending-authority adjustments for federal grants. Campbell also listed prior appropriations, including $5 million ongoing for CTE readiness in middle and high schools, $10 million one-time for secondary CTE programs, and $5 million one-time for postsecondary equipment and investments.

A focal point of the discussion was a governor-recommended $10 million ongoing proposal described by Whitworth and discussed with committee members. Whitworth and others said the plan under consideration was intended as a competitive grant program to expand capacity in high-demand programs (welding, nursing, mechatronics and others), to be targeted by demand and tied to industry engagement and matching funds. Whitworth said the grant design would require an industry match and ongoing reporting on outcomes, and he described a proposed three-year rotation to reassess regional demand. ‘‘It really requires them to not just be on the demand list, but considered in high demand,’’ Whitworth said of the planned industry partnership approach.

Lawmakers repeatedly asked for a clearer distribution plan and line-item detail before they could defend or approve the ongoing $10 million on the floor. Representative Furness and others said they expected CTE to produce a list mapping funds to specific institutions, positions and expected outcomes. Whitworth said the division and the governor's office intend the funds to be distributed based on demand and regional need rather than as an equal per-institution allocation.

Committee members also raised questions about several restricted funds administered by CTE. Senator Bierke noted a reported negative balance in the Hazardous Materials and Waste Enforcement Fund and asked whether that reflected increased training expenditures or fee shortfalls; Whitworth said staff would validate the reporting and follow up with the committee. Representative Tanner and others questioned the growing balance in the Motorcycle Safety Fund and asked whether program spending should increase or fees be adjusted; Whitworth said the division would review and bring recommendations back.

Several legislators asked for more precise data on oversubscribed programs and the number of seats needed. Whitworth committed to share a list of oversubscribed postsecondary programs and to follow up with details for secondary programs. He explained the division is tracking programs with waitlists and can provide constituent-level and program-level detail to support future planning.

The meeting record shows no formal committee action (motions or votes) on the CTE budget requests during this hearing. Committee members requested follow-up information, including: (1) a validated accounting of restricted fund balances (hazmat and motorcycle safety funds); (2) a detailed list of oversubscribed programs and capacity needs by institution; and (3) a distribution and outcome plan for the governor's $10 million ongoing capacity proposal that specifies selection criteria, expected metrics and industry match requirements.

Whitworth closed by thanking the committee and praising the CTE staff. The committee proceeded to the next agenda item after the Q&A concluded.