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State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Luna

BOISE -- The state Department of Education plans to ask Idaho lawmakers for about $1.5 billion next year to operate and enhance public schools.

Public schools superintendent Tom Luna released his yearly budget proposal on Tuesday.

Luna's proposed budget is about 5 percent more than last year, when he asked state lawmakers for $1.38 billion.

In a statement, Luna called his request "responsible" and says that he recognizes the state is operating on a tight budget.

Like he did last year, Luna will ask for more than $5 million for classroom supplies.

Luna has also earmarked money in his budget for teacher raises and a pay-for-performance plan, an approach that died in the Legislature earlier this year.

Earlier this year, lawmakers ditched Luna's proposal for merit-based pay increases and opted to approve $23.8 million in teacher raises, including a plan to boost the minimum Idaho teacher salary by 3 percent.