By Superintendent of Public Instruction Debbie Critchfield
(BOISE) – Last winter, we began work on a task that many in Idaho have said is long overdue: updating our K-12 public school funding formula. We’ve heard it from our school leaders doing the high-level strategic work that keeps our educational communities healthy. We’ve heard it from our teachers on the frontline who see how funding challenges create struggles in the classroom for both students and faculty. And – perhaps most importantly – we’ve heard from parents who rightfully expect our public school system to deliver an education for their student, no matter what their needs may be.
Idaho’s K-12 public school funding formula has not undergone meaningful updates since it was rolled out in 1994. When I think about what schools looked like 32 years ago, I can confidently tell you it’s not the same now. To name just a few: schools used blackboards, overhead projectors, and dial-up internet, available in a computer lab (if at all!). Our state was smaller, and we were over a decade away from the population boom we’ve recently experienced.
Between 1994 and today, the Idaho classroom has changed. Your life and household looks different from 1994 too. These changes are not limited to education; it’s just life. Our students deserve to be supported by a formula that reflects the needs of the 21st century, not those of students who sat in classrooms over three decades ago. In fact, many of the students from the early 90s now have their own children in our schools! And trust me, they have opinions on how we should educate.
In June, Senator Dave Lent and I traveled the state to hear from Idahoans about what’s important to them when it comes to funding our K-12 public charter schools and districts. We came out of those talks with concrete themes about what Idahoans would like to see changed and a renewed sense that Idahoans agree that it’s past time to tackle this important work.
There was a general consensus on what elements should change. We heard from many of you that the existing funding formula doesn’t address the realities of the modern classroom. We heard from teachers about the need for a formula that is responsive to the fact that an increasing number of students are requiring more resources – time, teacher training, and beyond – to ensure their success.
So, what’s next? Now that the formal work of listening is logged, what can Idahoans expect as we dig into the work of revising and rewriting?
We will be working with legislators to help shape what changes will look like. That will include financial analyses and putting together models to be shared with districts and charters, the public at large, the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee, and anyone else that’s interested, as we head into next legislative session this winter.
Wherever the work takes us, we’re dedicated to communicating with local education agencies and the public as we move towards a solution that works for Idaho’s changing educational communities.
This is an investment in our students, our families and communities, and in the future of the State of Idaho, and we’re eager to get to work.
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About Debbie Critchfield
Debbie Critchfield was elected Superintendent of Public Instruction in November 2022 and was sworn in on January 2, 2023. Previously, she served as a seven-year member of the Idaho State Board of Education and was president during her final two years. Debbie was co-chair to Governor Little’s Education Task Force in 2019 and committee chair for Governor Otter’s Higher Education Task Force in 2017. She chaired the Re-Open Idaho Schools Committee in 2020 and was a member of the Governor’s K-12 Council.
