Idaho Superintendent Fights to Maintain Public School Funding Amid Budget Cuts

Debbie Critchfield says consistent funding is crucial for schools to provide quality education.

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Idaho Superintendent of Public Instruction Debbie Critchfield is working to keep public school funding at current levels, despite budget cuts being requested across other state agencies. Critchfield says the state constitution mandates the legislature fund public schools, and she is advocating to maintain that commitment even as the state faces a challenging fiscal environment.

Why it matters

Consistent and adequate funding for public education is critical to ensuring students receive a quality education. Cuts to school budgets mid-year could be devastating, so Critchfield is fighting to protect education funding from reductions.

The details

Critchfield did not request any new dollars for the 2026-2027 public education budget, which is approximately $2.8 billion. She revised the budget request in December to remove new funding asks and make adjustments, in an effort to maintain current funding levels. This comes as the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee has requested one and two percent cuts from other state agencies.

  • In December 2025, Critchfield revised the public education budget request to maintain current funding levels.
  • On February 11, 2026, Critchfield discussed the public education budget with Local News 8.

The players

Debbie Critchfield

The Idaho Superintendent of Public Instruction, who is advocating to maintain current funding levels for public schools in the state.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We did not ask for any new dollars. In fact, back in December, I revised the budget to take new requests off and make some adjustments.”

— Debbie Critchfield, Idaho Superintendent of Public Instruction (Local News 8)

“Having any type of cuts come mid-school year would be devastating. But moving forward we want to have some consistency.”

— Debbie Critchfield, Idaho Superintendent of Public Instruction (Local News 8)

“We want that public schools budget to maintain current funding levels. The Constitution does direct that the Legislature shall fund public schools, and I support that and still believe in that.”

— Debbie Critchfield, Idaho Superintendent of Public Instruction (Local News 8)

What’s next

The Idaho Legislature will consider Critchfield's budget request as they work to finalize the state's overall budget for the upcoming fiscal year.

The takeaway

Maintaining consistent and adequate funding for public education is a top priority for Idaho's Superintendent of Public Instruction, even as the state faces budget pressures in other areas. Critchfield is leveraging the state constitution's mandate for the legislature to fund public schools in her efforts to protect education budgets from cuts.