After some spirited debate, the House overwhelmingly passed a bill that will allow no-holds-barred public comment at school board meetings.

Currently, school boards must accept public comment — but only on topics that appear on a meeting agenda. Senate Bill 1007 would change this, and allow patrons to comment on any topic.

“This bill is going to help mend relationships with parents,” said Rep. Kyle Harris, R-Lewiston, the bill’s House sponsor.

Harris and other supporters said school boards would still be able to control meetings — by limiting the open comment period, or by giving speakers a time limit. Rep. Rick Cheatum, a Pocatello Republican who doubles as a City Council member, said the council allows a 15-minute comment period at the end of its meetings.

“It’s a minimal time that you are allowing your constituency to talk to you,” Cheatum said.

Saying SB 1007 would allow community members to “hijack” meetings, Rep. Steve Berch said supporters downplayed the bill’s impacts. “This is anything but a simple cleanup bill.”

In the end, SB 1007 passed, 56-10. It now goes to Gov. Brad Little’s desk.

Senate committee OKs early literacy, outcomes-based funding changes

The Senate Education Committee approved two school finance bills Thursday — one related to pre-kindergarten literacy programs and the other tying funds to student outcomes. 

The committee voted 7-2 on both bills, with Sens. Cindy Carlson, R-Riggins, and Christy Zito, R-Hammett, opposed. 

Early literacy

Senate Bill 1045 would allow school districts to spend state literacy intervention funds on pre-kindergarten reading programs for four and five year olds. 

State superintendent Debbie Critchfield and Sen. Mark Harris, R-Soda Springs, presented the bill Thursday. Critchfield, a Republican, said some school districts are already using public funds — state discretionary and local funds — on pre-k reading programs. This bill “allows them to access another part of the budget.” 

“It’s not an increase to the budget, it’s not a new line item, it doesn’t require anyone to do anything,” she said. “It says, for the dollars that we gave you, we’re going to find another place in your budget for you to make those local decisions.”

Outcomes

Senate Bill 1047 would give public schools an additional $35 million that would be tied to student outcomes. 

Sixty percent of the funds would be based on proficiency in math for fifth through eighth graders — measured by standardized testing. Forty percent would be tied to the number of students showing college and career readiness through dual credit, advanced placement courses and apprenticeship program enrollment, among other things. 

“We tend to put more money where we feel like we’re struggling, to bring it back up,” said sponsoring Sen. Dave Lent, R-Idaho Falls. “This model, really, is a flip of that.”

While deliberating Thursday, committee members questioned where the money would come from. Gov. Brad Little’s budget recommendation included $50 million for public schools, and the outcomes-based funding would come from that pie, Lent said. 

Sen. Jim Woodward, R-Sagle, said the money likely would be tacked onto the Department of Education’s budget enhancements, which the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee has yet to approve. Woodward is the Senate vice chair of the joint budget committee. 

Senate bills 1045 and 1047 now head to the full Senate.

School cellphone policy bill passes House

The House unanimously passed a bill requiring schools to write cellphone policies.

Senate Bill 1032 doesn’t spell out the specifics. It only requires school districts and charter schools to adopt distraction-free learning policies by Dec. 31.

Dozens of school districts have already adopted cellphone policies. Student leaders from West Ada School District, the state’s largest district, testified in favor of the bill during a recent Senate committee hearing.

“You’d think the students wouldn’t support this, but actually they do,” said Rep. James Petzke, R-Meridian, the bill’s House sponsor.

With the House’s 65-0 vote, the bill goes to Gov. Brad Little.

One large education budget heads to the governor

The Senate swiftly passed a $1.1 billion budget funding higher education, among other agencies.

House Bill 341 is one of 10 “maintenance” budget bills, providing ongoing base funding for 2025-26. This budget covers agencies under the State Board of Education’s jurisdiction.

Nearly $800 million of this budget would go to Idaho’s two- and four-year colleges and universities.

Thursday’s Senate vote was 34-1, with Nampa Republican Sen. Brian Lenney casting the lone dissenting vote.

The higher education maintenance budget goes to Gov. Brad Little’s desk. But it’s not likely to be the last spending bill for the colleges and universities.

The Legislature could consider “enhancement” budget bills that would fund any new programs. The budget-writing Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee is scheduled to discuss the community colleges’ budget Friday morning.

House committee clears lifetime educator certificate

A bill that would create a lifetime educator certificate is heading to the full House. 

The House Education Committee unanimously approved Senate Bill 1092 Thursday. Teachers and administrators with at least 25 years’ experience would qualify for the lifetime certificate, which would essentially exempt them from training requirements. 

Sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Lori Den Hartog, R-Meridian, the bill already cleared the Senate with unanimous support. 

House approves spending for medical residents

The House Thursday approved spending line items for the State Board of Education’s health education programs. 

The $954,500 appropriation bill includes funding for medical residents in Boise, Pocatello, Burley and Rupert. This is in addition to the health programs’ $28.8 million base budget, which is part of the State Board’s broader budget. 

House members approved the bill 49-21.

Concealed carry bill debuts; impacts on higher ed are unclear

A concealed carry bill made its debut in a House committee Thursday — despite questions about whether the change would affect colleges and universities.

Sponsored by Rep. Dale Hawkins, R-Fernwood, the bill would cover public properties that are “normally and habitually open to the public.” People would still be able to carry concealed weapons on public properties, even if private parties are renting or leasing them.

The bill would not override existing firearms laws, Hawkins said, so restrictions in public schools would remain intact.

However, Hawkins said he was unsure how the bill would impact college and university policies. This prompted Rep. Todd Achilles to vote against printing the bill.

“There’s just a bunch of questions here,” said Achilles, D-Boise.

The House State Affairs Committee introduced the bill, setting the stage for a full hearing at a later date.