In the past 10 years, funding for education in Idaho has been cut by

$550 million, according to Idaho’s former chief state economist Mike Ferguson. The deep cuts have left districts dependent on supplemental levies and most are being forced to make cuts to offset huge shortfalls.

    According to a press release Tuesday, education funding in Idaho is at its lowest since 1997.

    Last week, the Pocatello/Chubbuck School District Board of Trustees met to discuss options for reductions in operational costs to balance the 2013-2014 budget.

    Last month the District 25 Board authorized use of 60 percent of its fund balance, which added an additional $1.2 million to balance next year’s budget — but even with the adjustment it was necessary to cut another $1.4 million from the 2013 -2014 budget

    According to the press release, proposed cuts include eliminating three days each for nine high school counselors, the elimination of three media positions, a high school counselor at Highland High School, a PE specialist and three middle school clerks.

    Cuts in District 25 also include reductions in instructional material and technology.

    Ron Bolinger, superintendent for District 381 in American Falls said patrons in his district passed a $660,000 levy in March with 68 percent voter support, but the district is still scrambling to cover a $368,000 shortfall.

    Bolinger said the American Falls District is looking at cutting two teaching positions through attrition — meaning the positions will not be filled next year. The district is reducing material and supplies in the classroom as well.

    Teachers are currently required to take five unpaid furlough days each year and that unpaid leave may be extended to help cover the deficit.

    “Legislative funding will not cover ongoing expenses,” Bolinger said. “Every district is in the same situation.”   

    Bolinger said revenue in the state in the first quarter was $79 million more than projected, but education is still taking a huge hit.

    “The solution is for the Legislature to funds schools better,” he said.

    Jamie Holyoak, superintendent for both District 149 in North Gem and District 148 in Grace, said small, rural districts are even harder hit by the cuts.

    Holyoak said healthcare reform caused insurance costs to increase by 12 percent while at the same time, the two districts, which represent about 700 students in grades K-12 have received cuts each of the past four years.

    “Each year we receive less than we received last year,” Holyoak said. “In a small district, we operate on a slim margin, we can’t afford to cut staff. We haven’t done that because of the negative impact it would have on student performance.”

    North Gem passed a supplemental levy for $200,000 and patrons in Grace approved a $300,000 levy.

    Holyoak said both levies passed with more than 70 percent voter approval, but even with the supplemental funds, the rural districts are each looking at a shortfall of about $75,000.

    “There is just not enough money,” Holyoak said. “The Legislature needs to make funding education a priority.”  

    Mark Gabrylczyk, superintendent for Snake River District 52, said the district is not replacing five teachers next year to help offset a $650,000 deficit. Snake River also passed a $900,000 supplemental levy in March, but it did not cover the budget shortfall.

    Gabrylczyk said insurance cost at Snake River also saw a 12 percent increase and he said of the state’s 115 districts, Snake River ranks dead last in market value, making it tougher to pass the supplemental levies. The levy in March passed with 60 percent of the vote.

    House Bill 206 takes money out of the general education fund to provide charter schools, which are not able to run supplemental levies, a 20 percent stipend and Gabrylczyk said the benefit increases to 30 percent next year, meaning less money for public schools.