IDAHO

An Idaho School Boards Assocation-supported bill would allow school districts to cut teacher pay or reduce contract days. It now heads to the House floor.

The Idaho Legislature is now on record demanding a transfer of federal lands to the states — as a way of boosting the endowment for public schools.

House and Senate members met late Monday, seeking to reach an public school budget agreement that could end the 2013 legislative session this week.

Attorneys representing dozens of Idaho school districts want a judge to toss out a lawsuit that says school student fees violate the state’s Constitution. A judge took the appeal under advisement.

Janet Orndorff — a former teacher and longtime volunteer for Boise schools — had served on the district’s board since 1990.

The “interim committee” received final approval on the Senate floor Monday — and the group’s work scope is more far-reaching than Gov. Butch Otter’s education task force.

Giving themselves a second chance, senators approved a bill allowing school districts to cut salaries and contract days. But a controversial “last best offer” labor bill is on hold, likely for the session.

Legislators are working a short day before the Easter weekend, with no K-12 budget solution in the offing. A Plan B might start in the Senate, House Education Committee Chairman Reed DeMordaunt said Friday.

After Wednesday’s surprise Senate vote, Idaho political leaders are struggling to piece together a compromise budget plan for public schools. But the process is on hold.

A divided Senate approved a complicated funding bill that would give charter schools $1.4 million in facilities stipends in 2013-14.