Some Idaho schools could be in line for an increase in federal funding, under a federal defense bill that passed the House this week.
The $674 billion defense bill includes $1.4 billion in federal Impact Aid, which provides federal dollars for school districts near Department of Defense sites or Indian reservations. That’s an increase from $1.3 billion.
“Impact Aid is a vital program in Idaho where federally impacted school districts depend on its support to continue delivering a high-quality education to young Idahoans,” said Rep. Mike Simpson, R-Idaho, in a news release.
The final numbers aren’t in for the 2017-18 budget year, which ends Sunday. But Idaho schools received an estimated $6.6 million in impact aid for 2017-18. The 2018-19 numbers aren’t available yet either, but a Simpson staffer said Idaho is likely to see a funding increase.
About 10 schools in Idaho receive impact aid, said Johanna Jones, who coordinates the State Department of Education’s Office of Indian Education.
The defense spending bill has passed the Senate, and now heads to President Trump’s desk.