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Committee introduces RS 32396 to boost fractional funding for rural high-school math and science
Summary
The Idaho House Education Committee voted to introduce RS 32396, a measure to raise fractional instructor funding for small rural high schools to help pay for additional math and science instruction; committee members asked for more data on current allocations, student counts and local fiscal capacity before further action.
Representative Furness introduced RS 32396 to the committee, saying the proposal "amends code 33-10-21 and provides additional funds for small schools, rural schools" and would increase fractional funding for instructor positions so small high schools can hire or support math and science teachers. The committee voted to introduce the measure by voice vote; the motion carried.
The measure targets small rural districts by raising the fractional position allocation for schools in specified enrollment bands. Representative Furness told the committee RS 32396 "increases the fractional funding to at least one half of an instructor with 100 to 159 students" and raises the fraction for larger small schools to three-quarters of an instructor for the 160-to-319 band. Quinn Perry, deputy director of the Idaho School Boards Association, told the committee existing per-school support is about $5,000 and said the funds can be used for salary or for targeted instructional supports such as instructional coaches in math and science.
Committee members pressed for more specifics on how the money would be allocated and whether it guarantees higher local salaries. Representative Harris asked how much money is currently in the program and how the funds are allocated by school; Representative Furness said he did not have those numbers with him and would return with them. Representative Tanner and others asked whether reallocating existing funds from urban districts had been considered; Furness said such discussions have occurred but taking money from urban schools is "tough." Representative Church and others asked how the change would affect teacher recruitment and retention; Furness said raising pay is one tool to attract teachers and Perry said the funding would be distributed to districts for use at the specific schools, "for salary or for additional instructional targeted support."
Members also asked for contextual information to accompany the bill if it is printed for further consideration. Representative Ehart asked Furness to bring back information on other programs aimed at rural schools and how those efforts have fared. Representative Nelson asked for data showing how district asset bases and local taxing capacity differ across the state, saying differences in local property wealth affect districts' ability to supplement state funds. Several members described rural school staffing realities, including multi-role responsibilities for staff and the difficulty recruiting traditionally certified math and science teachers.
The committee voted on a motion from Representative Garner to introduce RS 32396. The motion passed on a voice vote; no roll-call tally was recorded in the transcript. Committee members instructed the sponsor to return with additional data on current program dollars, allocation mechanics, and information about other rural supports and outcomes.
What the bill does and what remains unresolved: RS 32396 is written to change the fractional instructor allocation in the cited code section; the transcript records the enrollment bands and the intended new fractions for those bands but does not include text of the final statutory language, the fiscal note, or an exact current program budget. Committee members repeatedly requested those details for future consideration.
