Schools and legislators talk 2013 budget

Districts 91 and 93 held a legislative luncheon to find out what school leaders are pushing for in the upcoming 2013 Idaho budget.

“You know, I’ve been involved in a lot of activities at Bonneville,” said Riley Howard.

Riley Howard is a senior at Bonneville High School and also the student body president.
He took time out of his day to speak to state representatives and Idaho Falls City Council members at the annual legislative luncheon to address his concern of how important the upcoming budget is for all students in districts 91 and 93.

“There’s a lot of things we’re involved in and a lot of things that need funding,” said Howard.

According to Dr. Charles Shackett, superintendent of District 93, students deserve the best education, and having Howard speak at the luncheon brings out the true meaning of school success.

“The focus isn’t on adults; the focus is on students,” said Shackett.

Superintendent George Boland of District 91 agrees.

“All school districts have the same goal in having their graduates prepare to go on to postsecondary education or go into the workforce,” said Boland.

Since the defeat of the Luna Laws, Shackett said, “We gave legislators a list of the things that we want legislation to keep that were the good things from the three propositions.”

Providing the best technology in the classroom and continuing teachers’ pay performance are just some highlights Shackett hopes the 2013 legislature will consider to fund. Boland wants his students to have a wide variety of classes available.

“We added teachers to meet the increased number of courses that we have to teach. So if the funding is not there, that means we have teachers under contract with no revenue source,” said Boland.

“There are so many different styles of learning, and we’re losing students unless we offer something that touches his heart,” said Shackett.

Legislators will visit other schools this month to hear their concerns. Decisions on the 2013 budget will begin in January.