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The education funding initiative would increase corporate and high-end income taxes by $323 million a year. But it also could roll back $250 million in income tax cuts passed by the 2022 Legislature, Attorney General Lawrence Wasden’s chief deputy said last week.

Every school in the district will now have either an armed security guard or SRO in the building every day. The board of trustees unanimously approved the decision on Wednesday night.

While SAT and ACT test scores are losing their prominence and power, in some cases they can still open or close doors to scholarships, prestigious universities, and high-paying careers. And those factors can be life-changing. 

All June graduates have a job, are enrolled in a post-secondary program or enlisted in the military.

Lawmakers have long resisted using state dollars to build or repair schools — leaving the burden and the bill to local property owners. But now, the state is sitting on a record $1.3 billion budget surplus.

“The changes are manageable, but still frustratingly bureaucratic,” said Terry Ryan, CEO of Idaho charter support group Bluum.

If school administrators don’t get the data they need, funding in a number of areas could be at stake, including subsidized meals, staffing, programs and materials and internet access.

Idaho State University is using private donations to hire staff to help at-risk students — and address luckluster retention and graduation rates. And President Kevin Satterlee is calling out legislators for failing to support the hires.