BOISE -- Public schools chief Tom Luna says education in Idaho will have lost nearly $200 million over the course of about two years if proposed cuts for the next fiscal year are carried out.
The governor recommended Monday a state budget that spends $1.2 billion in general funds on public schools during fiscal year 2011.
That's about $14.3 million less compared to this fiscal year, which ends in June.
Luna said Wednesday total spending on public schools for next year would really be about $130 million less compared to this year when factoring in the loss of one-time federal stimulus money and expected decreases in state dedicated funds.
Dedicated funds include revenues from cigarette and lottery taxes.
Luna says the $130 million loss would come on top of a $68 million cut to public schools for the current fiscal year.
