Idaho State Superintendent of Public Instruction Debbie Critchfield submitted her annual budget proposals. But this year, proposals are unlike any years in the past.
Critchfield is introducing a new funding formula to fit the needs of today's classroom.
The current funding model was created in 1994 and, according to Critchfield, was a great model for the time. The core idea of the 1994 model was based on average daily attendance. So, the state would fund school districts based on how many students show up, not how many they serve.
“The classroom of 2026 is different,” Critchfield said. “The student needs are different. Parent expectations are different. The cost of doing business is more and we've made all of these great strides in innovation and all of these great strides in a number of ways with graduation requirements, increased career technical education programs, connecting students and preparing them in ways to make them successful. And we're doing all of that through the lens of 2026, except the funding says you must look like 1994.”
Critchfield says her new model will fit the realities of a 2026 modern classroom.
“I'm interested in making the funding simple,” Critchfield said. “I hear that all the time, 'I don't understand how we're funding.' Well, let's make it simple and make it transparent, so you can see how much money went here for this reason.”
Critchfield says that the funding should also be predictable, sustainable and something that reflects how students are learning now, such as having adjustments for varying types of education, whether that be in your traditional public school, a charter school or even a virtual learning experience.
The Idaho Department of Education said in a news release that the general fund increase totals $127 million. Required health insurance and changes in employee compensation increases make up 53% of the request, with mandatory statutory adjustments comprising another 31%. Statutory adjustments include mission-critical areas such as the educator career ladder, transportation and other areas required by Idaho law.
The proposed model will be tweaked and revised over the next several months ahead of the 2027 legislation session that will start in January.