Region II Superintendents

As parents, we want the best possible educational experience for our child(ren), however the reality is that many parents have to work outside the home to make ends meet. Knowing that academic expectations continue to grow for our students in grades K-12, it is important that local school districts create multiple opportunities for our students to be successful. Having access to quality educational programs at an early age, increases a student’s likelihood of academic success.

Studies have identified that preschool programs develop literacy skills such as letter-name recognition, phonological and print awareness which strengthens a student’s ability to develop the skills necessary for reading and writing. Quality early childhood programs engage students in developmentally appropriate practices that include pre-literacy, pre-numeracy activities, language, social and physical development.

Sami Edge, Idaho Ed News

State superintendent Sherri Ybarra is asking for a 8.5% increase in state tax dollars for public schools next year, including money for full-day kindergarten and teacher salaries.

The $2.22 billion state general fund request would add $82.8 million to the teacher salary career ladder, and increase operational funding for Idaho districts and charters by 5.3% to offset the rising cost of health insurance and cover inflationary increases, the State Department of Education said in a news release Wednesday.

Wednesday was the deadline for state agencies to turn in budget requests for the 2022-23 budget year, which begins July 1 and runs through June 30, 2023. Gov. Brad Little will introduce his budget recommendations next year, and the Legislature will finalize the budget during the 2022 session.