Rating: –1

Bill Summary:

Senate Bill 1147 amends Sections 33-1002 and 33-1002F of Idaho Code to modify the calculation and distribution of state funding for public schools. The bill updates the support unit calculation method to reflect current average daily attendance (ADA), particularly impacting funding for small school districts. It adjusts the transfer schedule from the Public School Income Fund to the Public Education Stabilization Fund (PESF), sets new limits on PESF usage, and clarifies the conditions under which the State Department of Education may access PESF reserves. The bill also refines the multipliers and definitions used to allocate funds, aiming to align funding more closely with real-time school needs and district sizes. The legislation includes updated caps on fund transfers and specifies procedures for budget stabilization when state education reserves fall below target levels.

Reason for Rating:
While S1147 includes some fiscal safeguards and funding adjustments based on actual attendance, it ultimately reinforces the centralized control of K–12 education funding and perpetuates Idaho’s reliance on complex, state-managed distribution formulas. It does not reduce the overall size or scope of the government education apparatus, nor does it increase local control or expand school choice options. Instead, it tweaks an already bloated system, further entrenching state authority over education funding without addressing inefficiencies or structural overreach. This contradicts the Idaho Republican Party Platform’s emphasis on limited government, local control, and educational freedom, warranting a negative rating.