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JFAC adds $1.68 million to community colleges, asks State Board to propose outcome-based model
Summary
The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee approved $1,679,800 ongoing general fund to cover enrollment workload adjustments for three community colleges, held North Idaho College harmless and directed the State Board of Education to return an outcome-based funding proposal by Dec. 31, 2025.
The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee voted on March 7 to add $1,679,800 ongoing from the general fund to cover enrollment workload adjustments for Idaho’s community colleges and directed the State Board of Education to develop an outcome-based funding model.
The funding increase was split as follows: $496,800 ongoing for College of Eastern Idaho; $690,000 ongoing for College of Southern Idaho; and $493,000 ongoing for College of Western Idaho. The committee said it would hold North Idaho College harmless despite a negative enrollment workload adjustment this year.
Representative Petske moved the measure; Senator Ward Engleking seconded. JFAC recorded 19 ayes and 1 nay (Senate 9–1; House 10–0) and sent the measure to the floor with a due-pass recommendation.
The committee also adopted language directing the State Board of Education to develop an outcome-based funding model, return a proposal to JFAC for input by Dec. 31, 2025, and plan for implementation by fiscal year 2028. That language was accepted by unanimous consent during the hearing.
Why it matters: Committee members said the adjustments are intended to address wait lists and capacity shortfalls at community colleges, particularly for career and technical education programs that are “significantly oversubscribed,” and to avoid penalizing institutions that are demonstrating enrollment growth or addressing accreditation issues.
Analysts said community college appropriations are made as trustee and benefit payments and are subject to an enrollment workload adjustment determined by the State Board of Education.
