JFAC approves multiple K‑12 budget adjustments, funds special programs and IDLA enrollment increase

The Joint Finance‑Appropriations Committee on an omnibus slate approved a series of K‑12 budget adjustments and program items, advancing supplemental and fiscal‑year 2026 funding for several state education programs.

Committee members voted to add targeted funding increases to the Educational Services for the Deaf and the Blind, the teachers division, multiple student support items, and the Idaho Digital Learning Academy. The panel also approved a one‑time pilot for student transportation routing software and a supplemental appropriation tied to school bus safety cameras.

The educational services increase included pay and staff additions for the Idaho School for the Deaf and the Blind: career ladder equivalent adjustments, additional compensation to recruit and retain hard‑to‑fill positions, an early childhood outreach administrator, a region 4 consulting teacher, and an endowment adjustment. Jared Tetro, Deputy Division Manager, Budget and Policy, Legislative Services Office, described the request and the committee adopted a motion to add $492,000 from the general fund plus $12,900 from dedicated funds (total $504,900). Representative Miller spoke in support, noting recruitment challenges for instructors. The motion passed on a committee roll call with the majority voting aye.

On teachers and the statewide funding formula, the committee adopted a program‑maintenance adjustment to add $1,630,500 for population forecast and related placement/movement costs on the career ladder. The committee record includes a 10‑year enrollment and support‑unit analysis presented during debate showing shifting class sizes and a net reduction of approximately 200…