JFAC education items: votes at a glance — districts, IDLA, transportation pilot, school safety and special education

Boise — The Joint Finance‑Appropriations Committee on Thursday considered a broad package of education‑related budget items and approved most motions on the consent path, while some contested items and language were debated.

Key approvals and actions (motions, funding source, outcome):

- Educational Services for the Deaf and the Blind — FY2026: committee approved an increase of $492,000 from the general fund and $12,900 from dedicated funds (total $504,900) to support career ladder equivalents, recruitment and retention pay, early childhood outreach and a region‑4 consulting teacher. Motion passed; committee recorded a strong affirmative vote and the measure will move forward with a do‑pass recommendation.

- Teachers Division (public school support) — FY2026: committee approved a population forecast adjustment of $1,630,500 from the general fund for the Teachers Division as part of the K‑12 formula adjustments. Motion passed and will move forward with do‑pass recommendation.

- Public School Support — Student Support Division (supplemental FY2025): committee approved a $9,500,000 one‑time supplemental from the federal grant fund to cover Title I and IDEA payments that were not successfully paid in FY2024 because districts hit appropriation caps. Motion passed; one recorded nay on the Senate side was noted in the roll call.

- Student Support Division (FY2026 budget and language): committee approved a package of adjustments that…