Senate Bill 1249 Summary

• Establishes teacher spending accounts to directly fund eligible classroom teachers for allowable classroom educational expenses that address student needs and instructional goals.

• Eligible classroom teachers are those holding an Idaho teaching certificate who directly instruct students; funds may only be used for classroom supplies and materials, not administrative purposes.

• State Department of Education calculates and distributes allocated funds electronically to each eligible teacher by September 30 annually, based on rosters submitted by school districts and charter schools by September 1.

• Allowable expenses include classroom materials, supplies, technological equipment (computers, tablets, printers, software), storage products, and items like whiteboards, paper goods, cleaning supplies, and writing utensils.

• Funds must be expended during the fiscal year distributed or the following fiscal year; unexpended amounts revert to the general fund, and the bill takes effect July 1, 2024.