RS30577 / S1153

This bill creates “teacher spending accounts” to help offset costs educators incur for things like classroom supplies and materials, organizational supplies and professional development to increase content knowledge. Unfortunately, despite yearly increases in Idaho funding for public school districts over the past 10 years, not enough of the money is actually making it to classrooms. Idaho teachers spend hundreds, even thousands of dollars, a year out of their own pockets to provide basic supplies for their classrooms. This bill creates a vehicle to address that problem by directing the State Department of Education to develop a plan and process to distribute money directly to teachers to defray costs for classroom-related expenses. None of the funds can be used for administration at the school or district level, and the money goes straight to the classroom.

This bill only creates the accounts and does not specify a total amount to be allocated nor a specific amount per teacher. The bill is subject to appropriation by the Joint Finance and Appropriations Committee, and JFAC will determine funding levels.

Bill Text

Amendment

Engrossment 1

Statement of Purpose / Fiscal Note

Bill on Idaho Legislature site