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Governor’s Vetoes May Cause More Trouble to School Districts In Idaho most public school districts are chronically under funded. This happens because the money they get from the state is not enough to keep up with the growth in students or costs. These school districts, along with all other school districts, have accepted the current political winds and are preparing to implement Superintendent Luna's “10 Bad Ideas”. H 252 created a process to declare financial emergencies so districts can enter into negotiations with educators to lower salaries or provide unpaid furloughs. The process outlined in law takes time and must be initiated soon. The Governor’s strategy of vetoing dozens of bills and keeping the legislature in session to increase the gas tax is eating up the time allotted for this process. Some school districts might miss the deadlines in the law and would then be subject to lawsuits.
Typically, once state funding for school districts is determined, and assured by signature of the Governor, the school districts can begin a series of steps to get their show on the road. We have school districts that must use the following process: Upon Governor signature, the State Dept of Education must declare a State of Financial Emergency, followed by declaration by the individual school district. A declaration is made after various calculations are done and verifications are completed. It is here the districts have a quandary. Because of the legislative foot dragging caused by the Governor’s vetoes, they must compress the process. They have a deadline to have all their contracts done by either June 22nd , or within 67 days of declaration of their financial emergency.
Because of this bind, some may consider imposing a settlement without negotiations with the local education association. This would bypass time-proven processes such as fact-finding and mediation usually so important and valued in good faith negotiations. It would also leave these school districts vulnerable to litigation. This is a fraught-filled path that costs money and reaps damages beyond what we can calculate now.
Many school districts are dealing with the time constraints by completing processes like public hearings ahead of time. These actions would normally come after the declaration. But even these efforts to the timeline may not be enough. Because of the vetoes, time is running out.
This year, the education budget is being cut for the first time ever in Idaho history, despite more than enough dollars ($390 million) left in rainy-day funds to keep our education budget whole. Some districts have resorted to four-day school weeks or tried other creative measures to reduce costs (it makes one wonder if this is the way to compete in the global economy).
Despite chronic neglect by the legislature, school districts do what they can to deliver the vital learning that children need. We know that many school districts will have to declare a state of financial emergency. Yet while out most important public function is being undermined, the Governor begins a veto-a-thon in hopes of forcing the legislature to raise new taxes for roads! It is always about priorities. I only wish the Governor would shift his priority to helping our public schools, and Idaho’s children - our state’s most precious asset for the future.
Please call our Governor, and tell him this is not the time for new taxes; we have good money we are spending for our roads this year already. Tell him to stop the vetoes. Tell him he can help us more by using rainy day funds this year and keep our schools whole.
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