Governor Little’s K-12 Task Recommends Higher Teacher Salaries
For Immediate Release — November 4, 2019
Sandpoint — The latest iteration of Idaho’s K-12 Task Force wrapped up its months-long run today, making recommendations to Governor Little that include more competitive salaries for veteran teachers and options for full-day Kindergarten statewide.
“We applaud the Task Force’s decision to prioritize these goals for Idaho’s veteran educators and our children. It’s a valuable step toward addressing the state’s education crisis,” said Luke Mayville, Reclaim Idaho Co-founder. “It is our sincere hope the governor can work with the legislature to take action on these issues and improve the lives of Idaho’s kids no matter where they live.”
Reclaim Idaho just launched its Invest in Idaho ballot initiative designed to increase investments in Idaho’s K-12 public education system. The nonpartisan organization is also circulating a petition advocating for raising veteran teacher salaries which has drawn nearly 1,100 signatures.
The current K-12 Task Force is the latest group formed to tackle Idaho’s education and jobs crisis. The original version met in 2013. The Workforce Development Task Force met in 2017. Both bodies issued numerous recommendations designed to increase the number of skilled workers in the state. However, in 2018, Idaho left more than 6,300 STEM-related jobs unfilled statewide which resulted in $412 million in unclaimed wages. Idaho also remains 50th in the nation when it comes to per-pupil investments.
“We wholeheartedly support many of the recommendations of the current K-12 Task Force. However, it is crucial the legislature take bold action this time around,” Mayville added.
Background: Reclaim Idaho is the nonpartisan, volunteer organization responsible for getting Medicaid Expansion on the November 2018 ballot. The measure passed with 61% of the statewide vote. In addition to providing healthcare access to tens of thousands of Idahoans, Medicaid Expansion is expected to bring back $400 million in federal funds to Idaho, shore up Idaho’s rural hospitals, and create thousands of jobs around the state.


