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IDLA sees enrollment rebound, proposes lower course fee as funding shifts to per-course model
Summary
The Idaho Digital Learning Academy reported enrollment growth to about 52,000 course enrollments, a budget tied to per-course funding at $430 and a proposal to reduce the $75 course fee to $40; the committee was told an increase to $445 per enrollment would be needed if a statutory change (HB 251) is enacted.
BOISE — The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee heard a separate presentation on March 4 from the Idaho Digital Learning Academy showing continued enrollment growth, a healthy fund balance and a proposal to reduce student course fees.
Jeff Simmons, IDLA superintendent, told the committee that IDLA’s enrollments for the current year are hovering just over 52,000 course enrollments, up from the roughly 49,680 that were budgeted. Under a funding formula established last session (House Bill 452), IDLA is funded per eligible enrollment at $430. Jared Tetrault, who presented the budget overview for the Legislative Services Office, said the appropriation and IDLA revenues change with enrollments because IBLA is now tied to student course enrollments rather than to the broader public schools appropriation.
Why it matters: IDLA’s funding now tracks actual course enrollments, producing larger or smaller appropriations as students choose online courses. Growth has increased both expenditures and the program’s cash balance.
Details from the presentation
- Enrollment and funding: IDLA reported estimated enrollments near 52,000 and a current-year appropriation of roughly $21.4 million based on $430 per enrollment. Tetrault said an increase to $445 per enrolled course is modeled in the governor’s request contingent on statutory adjustment (House Bill 251), which would raise the per-course rate if enacted.
- Financial position: IDLA’s audited consolidated free fund balance grew from about $5.0 million at the start of fiscal 2024 to about $8.5 million at year end, reflecting enrollment-driven revenue and other district fees (capped by statute at $75 per course).
- Course fees and access: Superintendent Simmons said the IDLA board is considering lowering the statutory-permitted course fee. He told the committee the board has a proposal to reduce the fee from $75 to $40 for the coming year and expects that reduction to improve access for families while still meeting the program’s fiscal needs.
- Program investments and outcomes: Simmons described investments in an elementary literacy program built on Istation, expanded driver-education enrollments (this year’s driver-education participation already exceeded last year’s total), and pilot work on AI tools to support instruction. IDLA said it reports final percentage grades to sending schools and has an internal target of roughly 90% pass/completion rate across courses.
Committee members asked about why a PSIF withdrawal figure appeared in the appropriation tables; Simmons and LSO staff explained that enrollment estimates submitted before final fall numbers can lead to reconciliation adjustments. LSO and IDLA staff said they monitor enrollments and will reconcile appropriation needs at the end of the fiscal year.
Ending
Committee members welcomed the proposed course-fee reduction and asked LSO and IDLA to keep the panel updated if enrollments exceed projections or if statutory changes alter the per-course rate.
