Some Idaho Board of Education members fear a proposed 5.9 percent funding hike for public schools in 2015 could come at the expense of universities.
On Thursday, board member Bill Goesling of Moscow worried the $77 million increase public schools chief Tom Luna wants for K-12 schools would siphon money from colleges including the University of Idaho, Idaho State University and Boise State University.
The Lewiston Tribune reports Goesling said university funding cut since the recession should be bolstered, since "they're the ones that drive the economy."
Starting in 2009, Idaho lawmakers reduced government spending as tax revenue dropped.
Jason Hancock, a Luna staffer, says his boss's proposed budget was driven by recommendations from a task force formed by Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter to help improve schools.