The overall budget proposal for public schools for next year crafted by majority Republicans on the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee would mean a 4.6 percent increase in state general funds, to $1.28 billion, but a total-funds increase of just 0.4 percent, to $1.566 billion. The competing overall budget proposal crafted by minority Democrats on the joint committee would mean a general-fund increase for schools of 5.3 percent, to $1.29 billion, and a total-funds increase of 0.8 percent, to $1.57 billion.

In the teachers division of the budget, in which the Democrats again proposed funding the previously frozen pay boosts for teachers for added years of experience, the minority also proposed an additional $3.8 million for professional development for teachers on technology. The Republican proposal included only an increase in the minimum teacher salary from $30,000 a year to $30,500; Sen. Dean Mortimer, R-Idaho Falls, said the budget already includes $3 million for tech training for teachers as part of technology boosts; he said he thought that was enough, given the state's budget constraints, though a state technology task force has called for more training.

Sen. Nicole LeFavour, D-Boise, said, "I'm afraid that right now across the state there are a lot of teachers that just think we hate them. It's difficult to do a hard job when you feel that those above you don't appreciate it. We really have asked teachers to pay a lot for our budget and carry a lot of the burden for our difficult budget times, and this is the year we are looking at giving tax breaks. It is really difficult to continue doing something that is so hard when you perhaps don't get the respect. ... I think more teachers in our system deserve some sort of acknowledgement from us."

Sen. Dean Cameron, R-Rupert, said, "I want to take exception to the comments that Sen. LeFavour made. I think both motions show respect for teachers. ... Neither motion frankly is as good as I would like to see it. ... I don't think either of these motions were meant to disrespect ... our teachers. I think they do a wonderful job and they should be recognized more."

State Superintendent of Schools Tom Luna told JFAC that he expects 85 percent of Idaho teachers to get some kind of bonus through the new "Students Come First" merit-pay bonus plan. "This is the largest increase we've had in teacher pay ... since I've been in office," he said. The Democratic proposal for the teachers division failed on a 4-16 party-line vote, and the GOP plan passed on a 16-4 party-line vote.