Budget Writers Approve More Money For Schools

(AP) – Legislative budget writers have voted to

boost state support for public schools by 4.6 percent next year

while increasing the minimum teacher salary to $30,500, up from

$30,000.

The $1.56 billion spending plan for public schools in 2013 was

approved Monday by the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee. The

budget includes $1.27 billion in state general funding, a

difference of about $56.2 million over this year.

The plan still needs House and Senate approval. It does not

shift money from teacher salaries to help pay for education reforms

signed into law last year.

A bill passed by the Idaho Senate would eliminate the salary

funding cuts spelled out in the reform plan from public schools

chief Tom Luna, leaving lawmakers to find the money for new

technology and teacher merit pay bonuses.