State's top educator visits Bonners Ferry

Tom Luna, superintendent of Public Instruction for the Idaho State Department of Education, visited Bonners Ferry High School on Wednesday.

The state’s top educator, Luna talked about the $780 billion in stimulus funding, of which $165 million will go to Idaho to help stabilize the public education budget for 2009 through 2011. With a state rainy day fund of $115 million, there is a combined $280 million available. 

According to Luna, Idaho spent $85 million of the $280 million as of May 15. This was done so funding wouldn’t be cut for schools this fiscal year.

The state is using another $60 million for the fiscal year starting July 1. The state is holding another $60 million for the next school year.

“We don’t see a forecast saying that the sun is shining so out of that $280 million we spent or obligated about 80 percent of it,” said Luna.  We have left ourself about $50-55 million for the next two fiscal year.  If the economy takes another dip we can tap into that and not cut our budgets   in the middle of the school year,” he said.

Luna was told about the cuts Boundary County School District has made.

“We have made a faithful attempt to cut costs across the board with the four day work week and other cuts,” said teacher Linda Hall. “What happens with funding with other districts that haven’t made these types of cuts?”

Luna told the group that the size of the district and average daily attendance determine funding.

“We dont go in and take a look how district is managing the funds that they have and distribute money based on that,” said Luna. “I think in the past when the state tried to make exceptions and treat one district different from another, that is what caused a lawsuit stating the state wasn’t providing a fair and equitable distribution of dollars for education. I applaud your district for what you have done.”