Idaho lawmakers question CTE capacity, faculty and $10 million governor proposal

Kevin Campbell, a budget and policy analyst with the Legislative Services Office, presented an overview of the Division of Career Technical Education's base budget and FY2026 requests, telling the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee that “CTE plays a central role in Idaho's ongoing workforce development efforts.”

The presentation and subsequent questioning focused on rising demand for CTE programs, bottlenecks created by limited faculty and training facilities, the structure of several dedicated funds and the governor's $10 million ongoing recommendation to grow capacity in high-demand programs such as welding, nursing and mechatronics.

Campbell said CTE is a statewide system that covers secondary programs (grades 7–12), postsecondary programs at Idaho's six technical colleges and related adult-education work. He identified three funds CTE relies on: the Displaced Homemaker Fund (supported by a $20 fee on divorces), the Hazardous Materials and Waste Enforcement Fund (supported by hazardous-materials trip and annual permits) and the Motorcycle Safety Fund (supported by driver's license and motorcycle registration and program fees). Campbell also noted that “CTE typically spends close to 100% of its appropriations” and that personnel and trustee/benefit payments together make up the majority of expenditures.

Joshua Whitworth, executive director for the State Board and interim administrator…