Bill > H0305

This bill amends Idaho Code Section 33-1004 to revise staff allowance provisions for school districts, which determine how many staff members a district can be funded to employ. The key changes include modifying how support units are calculated, adjusting staff allowance multipliers, and updating rules around staff employment flexibility. Specifically, the bill allows districts to use up to 15% of instructional staff funding for virtual education or instructional services from other districts without reducing funded positions, and permits districts to employ up to 9.5% fewer positions than funded without penalties. The bill removes previous language about annual 1% reductions in staffing based on class size and eliminates complex provisions about calculating statewide average class sizes. The bill also maintains existing provisions that allow districts to appeal for additional staff if their current allowance is insufficient to meet accreditation standards, and preserves a provision allowing kindergarten teachers to use part of their instructional staff allowance for initial parent-teacher visits at the start of the school year. The bill will go into effect on July 1, 2025, and is declared an emergency measure, which typically means it is considered urgently needed for the proper functioning of government services.

Education

Education Committee (H)

https://legislature.idaho.gov/sessioninfo/2025/legislation/H0305/