Ideas to balance the 2012 budget Public schools section

Some of you are aware that I have suggested 7 ideas that should be discussed in order to balance the budget. I have added two more and now there 9 ideas. If the state of Idaho is facing a $180 million shortfall, then public schools' portion of that budget shortfall is about $90 million. How will this shortfall be addressed?

I have listing these 9 ideas with the hope that other ideas will surface and from the list of ideas the best ideas will be implemented. I am not supportive of all of these ideas, and in fact, not all of them are needed. The legislature only needs to find $90 million in savings in public education and the ideas listed total over $350 million. Here are my thoughts on each of the 9 ideas. If you have any other ideas, I would be happy to add them to the list.

Option  #1: Establish a twelve week kindergarten program to get kids ready for school rather than the current 36 week program. Potential Savings - $40 million
Comments -- Very supportive – A targeted kindergarten program aimed at those behind the other students could overcome the"Matthew Effect” and still accomplish much of what is currently being accomplished.

Option  #2: Reduce wages and benefits to all teachers and administrators by 12 percent – Potential Savings $89 million.
Comments – Not supportive - I don't think this is a good idea.

Option  #3: Create a statewide medical insurance pool for teachers that has a high deductible policy with a Health Savings Account – Potential Savings $15 to $35 million
Comments – Very supportive -- Depending upon the details this concept has the potential to both improve medical accessibility and reduce costs.

Option  #4: Cut technology improvements by 25 to 50 percent – Potential Savings $6 to $12 million
Comments – Supportive – Superintendent Luna has suggested spending $24 million a year for several years on technology in the classroom. I am not sure every classroom or teacher would or could use this technology.

Option  #5: Cut all or some teacher aids – As of FY10, Idaho school districts and charter schools paid approximately 3,000 FTP worth of "Instructional Assistants" about $70 million is salaries. At a minimum, there would be an additional 7.65% cost for FICA on top of that. Only those working half time or greater would have PERSI paid as well, at an employer cost rate of 10.39%.
Comments – Somewhat supportive – Idea  #6 is accomplished by having fewer teachers. It seems to me that the number of aids and teachers are related and can't be discussed separately.

Option  #6: Increase class size by 2 – Potential Savings $100 million
Comments – Supportive – This is Superintendent Luna's way to fund changes in public education. It should be discusses in conjunction with option  #5. The underlying issue of this concept is how to increase the number of motivated students.

Option  #7: Encourage motivated students to take two summer classes in order to graduate a year early* – Potential Savings between $13 million and $90 million
Comments – Very supportive – The legislature started moving this direction last year with the passage of the MAPP bill that allows and encourages students to graduate early with a scholarship. The problem is that this idea will not help this year's budget. This is a long-term strategy. Let me point out that 72 credits are required to graduate from most high schools in the state beginning in the 7th grade. 5 years x 14 credits = 70 credits. This means that if motivated students took two summer classes sometime between the 7th grade and the 11 grade, they could graduate a year early.

Option  #8: Eliminate public funding for all sports programs – Potential Savings Unknown
Comments – Not supportive

Option  #9: Consolidate school districts – Potential Savings around $17 million
Comments – This is a local choice.

Summary
If the kindergarten idea were implemented ($40 million), a statewide pool created ($35 million), and less money were allocated for technology ($12 million), this would total approximately $87 million. The budget problem may be solved with no wages cuts and medical insurance may even be improved. I think it can be done.
http://chum.ly/n/63ff10