Idaho Lawmakers Mulling Albertson Foundation Funding Offer

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — The J.A. and Kathryn Albertson Family Foundation has offered to help finance possible research and other studies in the state's pursuit of modernizing how Idaho funds its public schools.

Sen. Chuck Winder says the foundation on Monday offered to write a check to the legislative committee in charge of reviewing the state's complicated school funding formula. Winder, a Republican from Boise, did not say how much was offered. Attempts to contact the foundation were not immediately returned Tuesday.

The foundation has recently portrayed public schools in a negative light in a statewide advertisement campaign, which many superintendents opposed. Some members on the legislative committee raised concerns Tuesday that collecting the money could backfire and create negative perceptions. Others suggested bringing in a third party organization to make sure the money would be used fairly and independently.