Linda Clark, superintendent of the Meridian School District, the state's largest, has submitted a letter to the Senate Education Committee, which won't be taking public testimony today on SB 1184, objecting to the bill. She writes that her district strongly supports "many of the concepts in this legislation." But, she wrote, "We stand strongly in opposition to the manner in which SB 1184 will fund them. Significantly reducing salary based apportionment for multiple years (and placing this in statute) is an inappropriate method of funding even the most worthwhile projects," Clark writes.

"Further, suggesting that school districts will have “choices” for how to pass along the reductions misses the reality that every school district in Idaho will be faced with “bargaining” with their staff for reductions in salary over the next six years. Is it truly “local control” to have to decide between fewer contract days, fewer teachers, and/or lower salaries? The situation that will be created is somewhat akin to the notion of telling someone that they are about to lose an appendage and then giving them the “choice” of whether it will be an arm or a leg." You can read her full letter here.