Lakeland School District business manager Tom Taggart was first off to testify to the Senate Education Committee at its school reform hearing this afternoon, which is again packed and filling overflow rooms. Taggart, speaking on behalf of the Idaho Association of School Business Officials, said his association is split on the different aspects of the school-reform plan, "like any other organization." Many support SB 1068, the labor conditions bill, except for the "flooring" change in school district funding, he said. But they have deep concerns about SB 1069, the reform bill. "Our members are on the ground," Taggart said. "We like things that work."

He suggested holding SB 1069 until next year, and putting together a study committee, with all stakeholders involved, to look into the concepts. "Keep reform moving foward," Taggart said. The result could be considered by next year's Legislature, he said.

And then, because lawmakers keep asking what the alternative is for next year's budget, Taggart presented an alternative. He said lawmakers should choose the amount they want to cut, then cut proportionally, on a one-time basis, from the three big areas within the school budget: Salaries, state-paid employee benefits, and discretionary funding to school districts. "Don't change the formula, don't change the divisors, don't do any of that," Taggart said. Then, he said, the state should suspend all "use it or lose it" rules on state funding to school districts, to let local districts decide how best to cope with the cuts for next year. "Basically make the cuts and get out of the way," Taggart said.

Taggart said the sweeping reform plan is not the only way to cope with next year's school budget. "There's other solutions to get through a year," he said. "We all know it's not going to be good, no matter what."