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Trustee Romero briefs board on education bills, flags potential cuts to IDLA funding
Summary
Trustee Romero updated the board on more than 30 education-related bills at the Idaho Legislature, highlighting both bills that passed (H515, HJ11) and bills to watch including HB622 (proposed 40% cut to Idaho Digital Learning Academy funding), SB1288 (a proposed high-needs student fund), and several bills addressing school facilities, certification, and civics requirements.
Trustee Romero provided a district legislative update at the March 10 meeting, summarizing recent activity and bills that could affect Blaine County students and services.
Romero said House Bill H515 (bullying, intimidation and harassment reporting) and House Joint Memorial 11 (special education funding to Congress) passed their chambers and are moving forward. Romero flagged House Bill 622 as particularly important to track; it would reduce funding for the Idaho Digital Learning Academy (IDLA) by about 40%, limit students to three IDLA courses per year, and remove access for students in cities of 50,000 or more, which could affect rural students who rely on IDLA for courses not available locally.
Other bills Romero discussed include a school-facilities co-op funding bill (HB608), Senate Bill 1227 (generative AI framework, on the House Education agenda), legislation to require a daily moment of silence in classrooms (HB123A), alternative certification pathways for administrators (HB711), changes to staff-placement definitions (HB728), bills related to teachers unions (HB745), a high-needs student fund (SB1288) to cover IEP-related program costs, and proposed civics instruction expansions (SB1336).
Romero recommended continued monitoring and noted ISBA (Idaho School Boards Association) coordination as the session proceeds; the legislature's schedule could produce further movement before the session closes. Romero said some bills have provisioned funding while others have not and urged the board to remain engaged on bills that affect district policy, funding and operations.
