|
The Boise School District proposed budget for the 2025-26 school year, emphasizes a continued investment in student-centered programs while managing rising costs and financial uncertainties. This is a budget that builds on the progress of the past five years, with a focus on sustaining key initiatives that support student success, equity, and well-being.
Ongoing Support for Success
The district’s budget plan reaffirms support for a wide range of student and staff-centered programs, including:
- Full-day kindergarten at every elementary school
- Expanded career-technical programs such as Cyber Security, Medical Assistant, and Fire Services
- More mental health resources including additional social workers, counselors, and behavior support specialists in every elementary school
- New Pre-K centers and additional community schools
- Professional development focused on student-centered instruction
- Equitable access to technology through one-to-one student devices
- Free breakfast for all students
- Upgrades to school facilities to meet safety, equity, and accessibility standards
These programs are supported by investments in staffing, including higher substitute pay for hard to fill positions in special education, full-time music and PE teachers at all elementary schools, and learning coaches at every building.
Future Financial Challenges
Despite this momentum, the District faces a number of budget pressures for FY26:
- A 14.5% increase in medical insurance premiums—the largest in recent years
- A dramatic rise in property and liability insurance costs, more than doubling since FY20
- State-mandated salary increases under Idaho’s Career Ladder law, with base pay for new teachers jumping from $41,500 to $50,252
- Continued growth in special education enrollment, requiring additional staffing and resources
- Declining overall enrollment**, which affects state funding formulas
- Potential reductions in federal support
To ensure we deliver the level of educational experience our patrons have earned, the district employs significantly more staff than is funded by the state in nearly every category—ranging from 28% over state-funded levels for administrative staff to 141% over for pupil personnel, which includes counselors and mental health staff.
Disappointing State Support
Other financial setbacks with serious implications are:
- 0% increase in discretionary state funding
- A Boise School District only cap on Schools Modernization funding
- Unaddressed and growing gap in funding for Special Education
Board Considerations & Vote
Of course, as state and federal funding declines, stagnates, or becomes less predictable, revenue from local taxpayers becomes much more critical to ensure the continued success of our students. In order to sustain our proven staff, programming and services and to fully fund our 2025 - 2026 budget, the Board will be asked to consider an increase in our maintenance and operations levy rate from .002552647 to .003065291, based on estimated market values, and still below the rate allowed under Idaho state code.
A public hearing and final vote on the 2025 - 2026 Budget will take place at the regularly scheduled Board meeting on June 9th, 2025. We encourage you to stay informed and participate in the process as the district works to balance fiscal responsibility with its commitment to students and schools.
| 
