by Ryan Suppe, Idaho Education News
A pair of lawmakers Thursday introduced another new plan to help schools fund facilities — but it won’t advance this legislative session.
Reps. Rod Furniss, R-Rigby, and Soñia Galaviz, D-Boise, co-authored a bill that would activate $25 million set aside for school facilities nearly two decades ago. That money has been difficult to access and only two school districts have used the money since 2006, the Idaho Statesman reported last year.
The funds would be transferred to a new grant account for needy school districts seeking help financing new buildings and maintenance. That would help fill gaps left by House Bill 521, the sweeping $2 billion facilities funding the Legislature recently passed.
“We currently have school facilities that are in dire need, and the money that’s coming from HB 521 just isn’t enough money to make those schools whole,” Furniss said.
The House Education Committee voted to introduce the bill, but only to publicize the plan before the bill returns next legislative session.
Ryan Suppe | Idaho Education News
Idaho Education News senior reporter Ryan Suppe covers education policy, focusing on K-12 schools. He previously reported on state politics, local government and business for newspapers in the Treasure Valley and Eastern Idaho. A Nevada native, Ryan enjoys golf, skiing and movies. Contact him at ryan@idahoednews.org