Idaho Teachers Might See Money Put Back for Salaries

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Idaho teachers stand to see state funding restored for salaries as part of a $1.3 billion public school budget that has passed the House. The House approved the fiscal year 2014 school spending plan on a 52-16 vote Friday. It now heads to the Senate.

The measure would unfreeze the salary grid that determines teacher pay based on years of experience and education level. It increases minimum teacher salaries by 1.6 percent. The budget also sets aside $3 million in funding for technology pilot programs and about $13 million for districts to award educators who improve student achievement.

Midvale Republican Rep. Judy Boyle opposed the bill Friday, saying it's bogged down by spending instructions from the Legislature's Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee. She accused budget writers of overstepping their boundaries.