Budget Writers Approve More Money For Schools

(AP) - Legislative budget writers have voted to
boost state support for public schools by 4.6 percent next year
while increasing the minimum teacher salary to $30,500, up from
$30,000.
The $1.56 billion spending plan for public schools in 2013 was
approved Monday by the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee. The
budget includes $1.27 billion in state general funding, a
difference of about $56.2 million over this year.
The plan still needs House and Senate approval. It does not
shift money from teacher salaries to help pay for education reforms
signed into law last year.
A bill passed by the Idaho Senate would eliminate the salary
funding cuts spelled out in the reform plan from public schools
chief Tom Luna, leaving lawmakers to find the money for new
technology and teacher merit pay bonuses.