Idaho State Superintendent Presents 2014 Budget

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Luna proposes a 3 percent hike to public schools funding for 2014. Luna on Thursday presented his budget for the coming fiscal year to the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee. Luna calls for spending $1.31 billion, including more than $10 million on technology for schools.

His budget, the first following voters' rejection of his 2011 education overhaul on Nov. 6, asks for more money than Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter has requested. Otter asked for only a 2 percent increase. Among other things, Luna wants $3.7 million to develop core standards for public school students, $4.85 million for math and science teachers — and $150,000 to reconvene a school safety task force, to protect Idaho schools from a tragedy like the one in Newtown, Conn., in late 2012.