Idaho school boards are entering budget season facing tight finances, failed local funding measures and rising operational costs as trustees finalize spending plans for the upcoming year.

Districts typically approve budgets in June, in accordance with Idaho law, which requires spending plan approval prior to July regular school board meetings. Trustees will spend the next month weighing staffing, salaries and school priorities heading into the new school year.

If they do not approve the budget at their scheduled budget hearing, they must do so at a special meeting within two weeks of the budget hearing.

This year, budget decisions follow a largely unsuccessful election for school facility ballot measures and flat state funding. During the legislative session, lawmakers largely kept K-12 from budget cuts, directing the sharpest holdbacks toward higher education. K-12 budgets stayed mostly flat, but school leaders say stagnant state funding effectively becomes a budget reduction as operational costs rise.

Several districts have already taken steps to address gaps funding gaps. Caldwell opted to sell a former alternative high school building. Middleton must cut 26 positions, halt new curriculum and trim a range of programs to save money after failing a supplemental levy.

The St. Maries and North Gem districts kick off budget hearing season with meetings on June 1, and districts will hold hearings through the rest of the month. Here’s a statewide look at hearing dates for districts and charters that have posted them on their websites: