UPDATED: School Districts To Get Millions In Extra Funds

UPDATE: With an $85 million budget surplus, school administrators from across the state are thrilled about the extra $60 million going to public schools. The Pocatello School District is expected to receive just over $2.4 million, while Bonneville County and Idaho Falls school districts will be receiving about $2 million each. Officials say the outlook is positive for rural school districts in eastern Idaho as well, with funds ranging from $200,000 to $300,000 each.

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BOISE, Idaho — School districts around Idaho are set to receive an extra $60 million in state funding this year, Gov. C.L. “Butch” Otter announced on Tuesday.
Local News 8 reports that superintendent of Schools Tom Luna said the additional money will “more than cover” the $47 million shortfall school districts were facing over the next year.
“This is a great day for Idaho schools,” Luna said. “I thank the Legislature and Governor Otter for their fiscally responsible approach to budgeting and continued commitment that Idaho public schools will receive the first dollars available.”
The governor said the additional funding will be distributed through discretionary funds. Pocatello is set to receive an extra $2,465,403 while Bonneville County and Idaho Falls will pocket about $2 million each.
We are working to learn more about what this means for area teachers and students at area school districts.