State Board office asks for $15M one-time workforce grant as legislators press on staff growth and centralization

The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee heard a presentation on the Office of the State Board of Education's (OSB) FY2026 budget on Tuesday, including a one‑time $15 million public–private workforce capacity grant proposed by Gov. Brad Little. Kevin Campbell, Budget and Policy Analyst with the Legislative Services Office, reviewed OSB's programs and statutory basis, saying, “Idaho Code section 33 1 0 1 creates the Board for the General Supervision, Governance, and Control of all state educational institutions.”

The committee then questioned Joshua Whitworth, OSB executive director, about continued growth in the office's staffing and functions. Whitworth told legislators the board has been centralizing some functions to improve efficiency and “look at systemness,” explaining that internal audit, risk management, IT and the school safety program had moved or expanded under OSB. Representative Petzke said the growth raised policy questions: “Why are we still growing this centralized agency so much? And is... we spending our money better here or should it be better spent going out directly to the institutions?”

Why it matters: OSB has expanded staff and budget in recent years through transfers and new programs, which alters where state education resources are managed. Campbell told the committee OSB currently has 84.25 authorized FTEs with eight vacancies and a five‑year average authorized FTE of 55.95, noting the five‑year average is lower because some additions are recent transfers from other entities.

Key budget items and program details: The largest single enhancement in the FY2026 request is the governor’s proposed $15,000,000 one‑time public–private workforce capacity grant. As described by the analyst, the grant would fund institutional infrastructure tied to workforce training and require private fundraising matches: a 1:1 match for Boise State University, Idaho State University and the University of Idaho; and a 1:2 match for Lewis‑Clark State College and the four community colleges. Whitworth said the grant’s intent is to “allow institutions to build infrastructure capacity if it relates to workforce training and in demand careers and incentivize institutions to partner with local community members to raise funds for the projects.”

Other FY2026 requests include 14 ongoing enhancement requests (five of them new positions: an IT systems/infrastructure engineer, a database engineer, an education effectiveness program manager, an education policy analyst, and an empowering parents program analyst), measures to support implementation of behavioral threat assessment teams in K‑12 schools, and a requested revision of the funding model for Independent Study Idaho.

Independent Study Idaho: Committee members asked for more information about Independent Study Idaho, described during the hearing as a flexible, self‑paced course delivery option used by a small number of students. Whitworth said much of the program is funded by student fees and that the typical student fee is about $160 per credit; the board is considering whether the program’s funding model and state support are appropriate. Senator Cook and Representative Petzke questioned the program's cost effectiveness; Campbell and Whitworth said the program’s fee model, student outcomes, and whether the program requires additional base funding are matters for further committee review.

IT and contractor vs. staff decisions: Several members pressed Whitworth about the two IT positions requested (database engineer and infrastructure engineer). Whitworth said those roles are currently supported largely with contractors and that hiring in‑house staff could be more cost‑effective and give OSB sustained capacity to maintain systems such as the database that supports cross‑institution student access. He told the committee that a single infrastructure engineer is insufficient to handle backlog and ongoing needs.

DEI and student fees: Multiple legislators asked whether diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI)‑related centers or services were funded by state appropriation. Whitworth and committee members clarified that programs identified in prior public discussion are funded by student fees and opt‑in arrangements rather than by general fund appropriations. The board’s officials said they will provide analyses distinguishing fee‑funded programs from any state appropriations.

Other topics raised: Committee members requested more detail and supporting documents on several items before votes, including clarifying which FY2026 requests would require legislation (Whitworth said the behavioral threat assessment item requires legislation and has a sponsor), a refined list of programs eligible for the workforce capacity grant, and an institutional IT plan and backlog report. Whitworth and Campbell agreed to provide requested follow‑up materials to the committee.

Where it goes next: Committee members asked staff to provide supporting materials—IT plans, matching criteria and program lists—before budget decisions. No formal votes were recorded during this hearing segment; the committee will consider OSB requests in upcoming work sessions.

Ending: Lawmakers pressed OSB officials for more documentation and cost–benefit detail on major proposals, especially the workforce grant, IT staffing requests and the Independent Study Idaho funding model. OSB officials said they will provide the committee with additional data and clearer program lists to inform appropriation decisions.