Business Session

INCREASE SALARY BASED APPORTIONMENT FOR
CLASSIFIED EMPLOYEES

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED,

that the Idaho School Boards Association support changes leading to greater funding for classified employees. This could be addressed with changes to the base salary, adjustments to the unit factor, and/or creating a salary allocation model for highly skilled classified staff – whichever policies bring the classified staff allocation closer to the actual salary thresholds necessary for local school districts and charter schools to attract and retain these necessary professionals.

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

In the years since the State’s salary based apportionment formula was enacted, school districts and charter schools have made significant changes in how they are run. The number and percentage of classified staff and technology specialists that manage human resources and technology operations has increased dramatically. The portion of the State formula that funds classified salaries and benefits was designed with custodians, school secretaries, aides in mind. The need for highly skilled human resource specialists as well as professional business managers and technology specialists to manage the complex and technical aspects of a school district and charter school has changed the role for these classified positions. Districts and charter schools now employ more professional business managers, human resource directors, network administrators, web masters, IT specialists, etc. and other skilled classified staff than ever before. Additionally, many of these professional and technical employees are hired to meet state and federal mandated requirements, including reporting in the Idaho System for Educational Excellence (ISEE), the state’s longitudinal data system. This resolution calls for changes in the SBA formula to better reflect the need to increase the salaries and the number of FTE’s funded by the classified portion of the formula.

RECOMMENDATION OF THE ISBA EXECUTIVE BOARD: DO PASS

SCHOOL SAFETY FUNDING

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED,

that the Idaho School Boards Association work with the Idaho Legislature, State Board of Education, State Department of Education, and other education stakeholders to establish and fund a School Safety Grant Program where Idaho’s public-school districts and charter schools can apply for school safety enhancements, including but not limited to facility improvements, training for school staff, school safety technology, and more.

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

School Board Members are statutorily responsible for the safety of the students and staff in each of their school districts and charter schools, and school safety is a general concern of Idaho citizens. Around the state, the needs of each school or district may differ – some may want to provide specialized training for staff, others may hire new or additional school resource officers, and others may need facility upgrades. Because none of these items are funded by a specific appropriation, they could put additional burdens on voter-approved tax levies or financially strain existing school budgets. This resolution would direct the ISBA to work with key partners to establish a “School Safety Grant Program” that public schools could apply to for funds that meet their individual needs for school safety.

RECOMMENDATION OF THE ISBA EXECUTIVE BOARD: DO PASS

OPPOSITION TO DIVERTING PUBLIC FUNDS

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED,

that the Idaho School Boards Association strongly oppose any effort to divert public dollars to private or parochial schools by such approaches as tax credits for scholarship donations, savings accounts, or amending the Constitution of the state of Idaho, Article IX, §5, Idaho Code, also known as the Blaine Amendment, to allow public dollars to finance private or parochial education in the K-12 education system of the state of Idaho.

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

School choice is an integral part of public education in the state of Idaho. Public school choice includes charter, magnet, at-risk alternative, virtual, and traditional schools where dual language, classical, harbor, international, Montessori, Career Technical, STEM, and STEAM programs, among others. These programs are an integral part of what public education already offers across Idaho, funded by state tax dollars.

Idaho’s current (2022) investment in our children’s public schools ranks 50th in the country. Reducing the general fund by offering a tax credit for donations to scholarship programs or diverting already scarce resources to provide vouchers to private schools will further erode funding to current public schools all across Idaho. If our state constitution is changed, Idaho’s investment in public education will become even smaller as our taxes will be siphoned off to unaccountable private and parochial schools. We oppose amending The Idaho State Constitution, Article IX, §5, Idaho Code, also known as the Blaine Amendment, for the reasons outlined above. Idaho already has substantial choice in its public school system.

A voucher, tax-credit, or scholarship program will cause irreparable harm to our existing system of public school districts and charters, especially in rural Idaho, and will likely harm overall student achievement.

RECOMMENDATION OF THE ISBA EXECUTIVE BOARD: DO PASS

AMENDING SCHOOL AGE FOR FLEXIBILITY

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED,

that the Idaho School Boards Association work with the State Board of Education, State Department of Education, and the Idaho Legislature to revise Section 33-201 and Section 33-208, Idaho Code, thereby providing school districts and charter schools with the flexibility to use state dollars to support school readiness with the understanding that such programs, like kindergarten, will not be compulsory or mandated, allowing school districts and charter schools to address the needs of their local students.

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

Currently Section 33-201, Idaho Code, prevents school districts and charter schools from using state dollars to support kindergarten preparedness programs for four-year olds. By amending the current age, it will allow flexibility for local districts and charter schools to use state dollars as they see
appropriate in supporting children entering kindergarten. There are no dollars attached to changing the code. It simply allows school districts and charter schools more choice in using the funding they receive in a manner that best fits their local community. This resolution would not amend the age
threshold for a child enrolling in kindergarten or first grade. Nor would it be compulsory for local
districts or charters to establish such programs.

RECOMMENDATION OF THE ISBA EXECUTIVE BOARD: DO PASS

INCREASE TERMS ON SCHOOL PLANT FACILITY LEVY

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED,

that the Idaho School Boards Association work with the Idaho State Department of Education, Idaho State Board of Education, and the Idaho Legislature to amend Idaho Code Section 33-804 SCHOOL PLANT FACILITIES RESERVE FUND LEVY to change the allowable term to a period not to exceed 20 years.

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

Changing the allowable term for a school plant facilities reserve fund levy from a period not to exceed ten years, to a period not to exceed 20 years in Idaho Code 33-804 would allow districts to access funding under the school plant facilities reserve fund levy. It would allow for a more reasonable threshold for voter approval based on the dollar amount the district needs. Further, extending the term will allow districts to ask the voting electors of the district for a necessary amount of funding over a longer period of time to help maintain lower local tax rates. This modification will assist school districts in expanding options available to manage their needs for large construction and maintenance projects in a district.

RECOMMENDATION OF THE ISBA EXECUTIVE BOARD: DO PASS

PERSONNEL FUNDING FLEXIBILITY

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED,

that the Idaho School Boards Association educate the Idaho Legislature regarding the economic concerns of the districts, including the inequities created by this legislation and the need for flexibility for schools. Be it further resolved, the Idaho School Boards Association shall research, draft, and submit legislation that proposes an amendment to Idaho Code 33-1004(2)(g) and any other related statutes and pursue amendment to any related Idaho State Board of Education rules to change this section and provide greater latitude for school districts in determining class sizes.

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

While provisions have been put in place in Idaho Code 33-1004, to compare or group similarly situated districts, the current model only grants one student above the state average in a similarly sized district before being considered out of compliance. In a majority of instances, district and charters are penalized for being out of compliance by slightly more than one student per teacher.

Because the student to teacher average is based on all funds available to a district rather than state reimbursed funds only, the districts with generous supplemental levies who hire additional certified staff impact the state average for their respective groups, creating an inequitable calculation process. Thus, districts without this supplemental funding are at a disadvantage and lose discretion of one percent of personnel funding flexibility each year under the current model.

RECOMMENDATION OF THE ISBA EXECUTIVE BOARD: DO PASS

REVOLVING LOAN GRANT FUND FOR SCHOOL
FACILITIES

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED,

that the Idaho School Boards Association work with the Idaho State Legislature to revise and expand what used to be known as the “School Safety and Health Revolving Loan and Grant Fund” to allow school districts and charter schools to competitively apply for capital improvement projects that include both maintenance and new construction. Using its historic surplus, the legislature could allocate significant funds to it and continue to allocate funds on a yearly basis. Criteria for allocation of such funds shall weigh such measures as safety and security, preventive maintenance, environmental impact, energy savings, and return on investment (ROI). Representatives from State agencies and school districts shall develop such criteria.

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

Obtaining funding for capital improvements is a hardship on local districts and charter schools. Lottery dollars are not sufficient, and bond elections are controversial and are difficult to pass with 2/3rds majority. The fiscal impact of this resolution shall be determined on an annual basis dependent on excess funding received for the year.

RECOMMENDATION OF THE ISBA EXECUTIVE BOARD:  DO PASS

IMPACT FEES FOR SCHOOL DISTRICTS

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED,

that the Idaho School Boards Association work with the Idaho State Department of Education, Idaho State Board of Education, and the Idaho Legislature to amend Idaho Code to add “Public School Facilities” to 67- 8203(24), Idaho Code.

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

Adding “Public School Facilities” to the definition of “Public Facilities” in Section 67-8203(24) would
allow school districts to access funding under Title 67 Chapter 82 for the purpose stated in Idaho Code 67-8202, namely to create “an equitable program for planning and financing public facilities needed to serve new growth and development,” which “is necessary in order to promote and accommodate orderly growth and development and to protect the public health, safety, and general welfare of the citizens of the State of Idaho”.

RECOMMENDATION OF THE ISBA EXECUTIVE BOARD:  DO PASS

FIVE PERCENT HOLDBACK RESTORATION

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED,

that the Idaho School Boards Association work with the Idaho Legislature and the Joint-Finance and Appropriations Committee (JFAC) to restore all non-statutory lines to include the reduction that occurred in fiscal year 2021 before ESSER funds expire in fiscal year 2024.

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

This change will help restore technology, professional development, and content and curriculum line items in the State K-12 budget. This will save districts from having to use their general funds to cover these items when ESSER funds no longer exist.

RECOMMENDATION OF THE ISBA EXECUTIVE BOARD:  DO PASS

CONSISTENT AND FAIR APPLICATION OF
LAND USE PLANNING

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED,

that the Idaho School Boards Association work with all entities and agencies including the Idaho State Department of Education, Idaho State Board of Education, and the Idaho Legislature to amend Idaho Code to change certain language in Idaho Code 67-6513 from “…may provide for mitigation” to “shall provide for mitigation…”

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

Changing the language in Idaho Code § 67-6513 from “may” to “shall” will remove an inconsistency in current law and give city and county land use entities consistency in application of the law. It will more strongly point out the need to require mitigation of the effects of subdivision development on Idaho school districts. It will also authorize planning entities to consider the burdens more consistently on current residents in a more consistent, even-handed, and judicious way while still balancing private property rights and interests.

RECOMMENDATION OF THE ISBA EXECUTIVE BOARD:  DO PASS

GED SUCCESS TRACKING

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED,

any student under the age of 21 who receives their general education degree (GED) with the assistance of the school district or charter school shall be counted as a graduate of that school district or charter school. Additionally, students should not have to withdraw from a school district or charter school to take the General Education Degree exams.

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

In the past, if a student did not complete the common course of study, and instead chose to complete the GED program, it was considered to be less than a common high school diploma. However, that is not the case anymore. Often, there are students who complete a General Education Degree for a variety of reasons. Therefore, Idaho should remove the stigma of a General Education Degree by changing the current reporting of graduation rate to allow GED to count as a successful course of study for those
students under the age of 21.

RECOMMENDATION OF THE ISBA EXECUTIVE BOARD:  DO PASS

TRANSPORTATION CONTRACT FLEXIBILITY

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED,

That the Idaho School Boards Association work with the Idaho legislature, State Department of Education, and education stakeholders to ensure that for rural school districts, or where a charter school is chartered by a local school district, the local school district and the charter school shall be able to enter into a transportation contract without a requirement to go out to bid. Upon entering this contract, the district and the charter may “merge” their transportation programs. If merged, the charter school will allow the school district to receive their funding, thus requiring the school district to report the charter school students under the school district’s transportation program or per state reporting requirements. Per the contract, the district and the charter school determine payment for any additional costs for the program to be paid by the district or charter school. To protect the financial responsibility of both the school district and charter school, this process could also require processes including, but not limited to, a requirement for the school or district go out to bid once the current contract has expired if another transportation vendor notifies the school or district that they may be able to serve their area.

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

In all the time that we, Moscow Charter School, have needed bussing for our students we have contracted with the Moscow School District (“MSD”) for transportation services. They provide services to our students on the same bus routes that already serve the kids in our community that attend MSD schools. As a result of this, they have received our funding and have reported our students under their reports. We are billed monthly based on the agreed upon rate of our contract (created and signed each year) for the number of students who ride the bus. The established rate is based upon the need to cover additional costs associated with running the program for our students. This year we were told that we were not in compliance with State code and were no longer able to continue this mutual relationship with them for transportation services. We spent several hours writing our RFP and received one bid: MSD. We will spend additional time this upcoming school year with audits and end of year reporting that MSD used to do with us under their program.

RECOMMENDATION OF THE ISBA EXECUTIVE BOARD:  DO PASS

ONE-TIME FACILITY FUNDING AND ELIGIBILITY FOR PERMANENT BUILDING FUNDS

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED,

that considering the historic surplus, the Idaho School Boards Association advocate for the Governor of Idaho and the State Legislature to provide school facility replacement and renovations by making K-12 school districts eligible for Permanent Building Fund dollars and by allocating $300 million surplus funds to the Permanent Building Fund dedicated solely for K-12 school district facility replacement and renovation.

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

School districts facing rapidly increasing enrollment or in need of repair or replacement due to aging school facilities, only have one option for the construction of new facilities: passage of a bond that places a burden on property owners. Meanwhile, the State of Idaho is holding a large surplus of funds that could help the state meet their constitutional requirement of maintaining an equitable educational program and reduce the burden of possible increases in property taxes to the citizens of Idaho.

RECOMMENDATION OF THE ISBA EXECUTIVE BOARD:  DO PASS

ENROLLMENT BASED FUNDING

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED,

that the Idaho School Boards Association research, draft, and submit legislation that proposes ending the use of average daily attendance to fund Idaho’s K-12 public schools and to permanently replace it with funding based on the number of students enrolled in the districts.

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

Enrollment based funding removes the uncertainty and instability districts face in the funding they will receive from the state when average daily attendance is used to set the funding level for each district, especially since the COVID 19 pandemic began and daily absences have significantly increased. This change also fits in with the legislature’s recent focus on providing non-traditional learning models to students, such as with extended learning opportunities and self-directed learners. It is also a more accurate way to provide the level of resources districts and public charter schools need to meet their obligation to be prepared to educate all students that are enrolled than the current method.

RECOMMENDATION OF THE ISBA EXECUTIVE BOARD: DO PASS