Panel advances bill on teacher hiring, salaries
BOISE, Idaho (AP) -- Idaho public schools could have more flexibility to hire fewer teachers and use money saved from those salaries for other programs under legislation passed by a House panel.
The House Education Committee voted Thursday to advance a bill giving districts power to employ 9.5 percent fewer teachers without risking so-called "use it or lose it" dollars -- which are typically set aside for teacher salaries.
The measure also allows schools to spend 15 percent of the money saved on salaries to send students to other schools.
Director of the Idaho Association of School Administrators Rob Winslow said the measure gives districts more latitude to manage their finances.
The Idaho Education Association teachers union and the Idaho School Board Association are backing the proposal.
The bill includes a one-year sunset provision.
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