Oregon Public Broadcasting

The fallout from school funding cuts in Idaho is now trickling down to districts. Many are formally declaring financial emergencies for the second year in a row.

Doug Nadvornick reports on the troubles facing one north Idaho school district.

In the economically-depressed town of Priest River, the district was one of about 20 in Idaho last year that declared an emergency. Superintendent Mike McGuire says it meant big-time spending cuts.

Mike McGuire: "We've reduced everything: secretarial, classified and the administrative and our certificated to the bare minimums that are funded by the state."

The district's voters helped by approving a supplemental levy last spring. They may be asked to approve another one soon.

This year, Idaho lawmakers reduced school spending statewide by seven-and-a-half percent. Some of that comes from pay cuts imposed on all school employees.

McGuire says the emergency declaration gives him the authority to negotiate even more salary reductions. But he doubts he will.

Mike McGuire: "Our local salaries here have been on the low end for several years. So I think our board would try to avoid cutting salaries any more."

McGuire believes many more Idaho school districts will go the emergency route this year.