OPINION: Don’t confuse more with adequate: Idaho schools remain underfunded
Rep. Lauren Necochea
When we shortchange our children, we shortchange our future. Inadequate school investment means we can’t retain qualified teachers, offer specialized courses like career technical training, serve students Monday through Friday, and much more.
Despite Republicans touting increased funding for Idaho schools, the real story is coming out in recent news reports. Coeur d’Alene trustees were forced to close an elementary school due to a looming deficit. The Idaho Falls School District must cut 20 full-time teachers for the upcoming year. Four-day school weeks have become common in rural districts. Now, the Nampa School District is making this move. Many other districts, including Blaine County and Mountain View, face similar decisions.
Simply put, our schools are underfunded. According to new data from the National Education Association, Idaho remains last in the nation for per-student spending.
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