Districts can email data for formula funding information

The House Republican Caucus wants to help share the message with school districts all around the state, that the Public School Funding Formula Interim Committee is looking for the most accurate information and data to assist in calculations for the proposed formula funding model. To make this easy, a dedicated email account has been created where school districts can provide their most up-to-date information.

“There were concerns expressed about some of the data that was provided to the legislature, so we took a proactive approach to guarantee that information is correct. It is imperative that we have good, solid data so that our schools are getting the money they need to continue to educate our children,” said Rep. Wendy Horman, committee co-chair.

Any individual school district with concerns about the accuracy of reported data are encouraged to email psff@lso.idaho.gov. This dedicated email will also provide technical support if needed.

“The proposed Formula Funding is a great tool to modernize how Idaho distributes money to our school districts, but it is only as good as the information provided,” said Sen. Chuck Winder, committee co-chair. “We are reliant on our school districts to provide current data. Therefore, we need all districts to provide current demographic data on their students.”

The 12-member interim committee spent much of last year coming up with the new model that focuses funding on enrollment numbers rather than attendance.

“We are proud of this funding model because it looks at the individual child to ensure each district is appropriated the right money to educate that child,” said Horman. “The better data we have the better it will be for all our students.”