It's nice to see legislators helping students, teachers

It's always surprised me, the almost lackadaisical approach toward funding education that the state of Idaho has taken over the years.

When I first moved to Idaho, I was amazed the state still required a "super-majority" on funding new schools and by the comparatively low pay received by teachers. When you factor in funding for books, technology and everything else, it always seemed like the state's students were permanently sent to sit at the back of the bus.

That's why it's nice to see the Legislature's budget-writing committee approve a $1 billion-plus education spending plan Monday.

Is it a lot of money? Sure. Are our kids worth it? You bet.

If it wins approval, the plan would boost teachers' pay by 3 percent — their first raise in five years — and increase minimum salaries from $27,500 to $30,000.

It would be the largest ever budget for education in the state — and that doesn't even include the state's share of construction costs, which will be added to the budget at a later date.

Superintendent of Public Instruction Marilyn Howard said the quick approval is a sign that lawmakers are ready to put more money into schools — especially teacher salaries.

A plan is in the works to address construction costs — as mandated by the Idaho Supreme Court in response to a lawsuit by 22 school districts which claimed the state had failed to provide students with safe schools.

Idaho's population is booming — and that's reflected in the schools. The latest studies show that the state had 262,000 students in grades K-12. In the past year, student population jumped by about 5,775 — or the equivalent of 275 classrooms with 21 students each.

It's nice to see the state taking responsibility for our future — because that is what our students represent, each and every one of them.

Here's hoping it continues.

Caroline Lobsinger is the managing editor of the Bonner County Daily Bee.