This bill seeks to reform the funding structure for public education facilities in Idaho by repealing existing sections related to the School Safety and Health Revolving Loan and Grant Fund and the Public School Facilities Cooperative Funding Program. It introduces a new section, 33-1017, which establishes the Public Education Facilities Fund, aimed at providing need-based grants to school districts for the construction, remodeling, and maintenance of school facilities that align with their core educational mission. The bill explicitly states that funds cannot be utilized for facilities primarily intended for athletic purposes and outlines a detailed application process for school districts, emphasizing the necessity for comprehensive plans and financial disclosures. Additionally, it mandates the transfer of unobligated cash from the Public School Facilities Cooperative Fund to the new Public Education Facilities Fund by July 1, 2025, and includes technical corrections to various sections of the Idaho Code.

Furthermore, the bill amends several sections of Idaho Code concerning financial emergencies in school districts and the supervision of local school districts. It empowers the board of trustees to declare a financial emergency, allowing them to implement measures such as reductions in force, salary freezes, and contract suspensions, while ensuring that payments under the foundation program remain unaffected. The bill also modifies the state supervision process, granting district courts the authority to issue orders for state supervision and allowing the superintendent of public instruction to appoint a district supervisor at the district's expense. This supervisor will oversee the local school board's compliance with educational service obligations and enforce penalties for willful violations of safety provisions, including the potential withholding of funds for necessary repairs related to safety hazards. An emergency clause is included, making certain sections effective immediately upon passage, while others will take effect on January 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
Bill Text: 33-1017, 33-909, 33-909A, 67-5771A, 33-1613, 6-2212, 39-8011