Idaho education issues

In Idaho, a couple of years ago, we had an interim governor. He now serves on the U.S. Senate. Senator Jim Risch (during his short tenure as governor) switched the funding of education from property tax to sales tax. Because sales tax is so changing depending on the state of the economy, this switch has had a negative impact on the funding of education.

Decreased revenues from the sales tax have caused the Idaho legislature to make 128.5 million dollars in unprecedented tax cuts for education next year. All districts have been hit hard. Our district, Madison District 321, is facing huge cuts and has declared the situation an emergency. The first cutback is coming at the end of the school year. Our year will end one week early. All schools will shut down, the buses will be parked, and all buildings will remain closed until next fall. A projected $100.000 will be saved with this move. Other plans include shortening the school year in 2011-12, reducing extracurricular activities, and eliminating kindergarten midday bussing. More cuts are in the works. I'm certain that our benefits and salaries will be effected.

One graduation requirement that seniors are required to fulfill at MHS is Project Citizen. This assignment is accomplished by groups of students identifying a problem, studying solutions and then making proposals for solving the problem. Groups consist of about seven students. These students present their findings to fellow students and invited guests.

Kirsten and group presented their project this past Monday. They addressed funding of education. Their four proposals consisted of:

1. Consolidating School Districts in Idaho

2. Shortening the school year

3. Switching state income taxes from a progressive tax to a combination of progressive and flat. All incomes from $20,000 up to $100,000 will pay a progressive tax starting at 1% and ending at 7%. All incomes that are above $100,000 will pay a flat tax of 7%. Also as a part of this policy there will be no exemptions, deductions, etc. This will result in the general population paying lower taxes, but because more people will be paying lower taxes the state will bring in higher revenue.

4. Raising the alcohol tax (which hasn't been changed since the 1960's)

If these policies were implemented they could potentially save/bring in over $71 million!!!

The group was picked to go to the next level which means competing against other groups from other government classes. In attendance at her first presentation were State Senator Brent Hill, State Representative Dell Raybould, District 321 Superintendant Geoffrey Thomas and School board member Melody Johnson. They had a good showing of the big wigs. Hope they listened and heard about the students desire to have continued growing opportunities in their education. This opportunity will surely cease to exist if attention is not given to aspiring educators. These future educators need to be certain that they are able to support themselves and a family on a teacher's income. Many prospective teachers are steering clear of teaching as a profession because the outlook is quite dismal. I hope it becomes a priority. Having an absence of quality role models will surely effect our future and our children.