BOISE, ID – Idaho’s poverty rate was up nearly 10% between 2009 and 2010. That’s according to new Census Bureau numbers released last week. Those numbers also break down the number of families in poverty by school district.
Midvale School District lies in the heart of Washington County in Southwest Idaho. It has the unfortunate distinction of having the highest poverty rate of any Idaho school district at nearly 46%. Midvale’s Superintendent of Schools Jim Warren offers a simple answer for why that number is so high.
Jim Warren: “The availability of housing is relatively less expensive than other areas.”
Midvale is a ranching community with jobs that pay minimum wage. Warren says about 20% of their students could be classified as homeless. Sixty-eight percent in secondary schools get free or reduced price lunches. Warren adds cuts to education have had a dramatic impact on his district.
Jim Warren : “We’re actually down seven staff members from last year which translates into probably around, in the ballpark, about $175,000-$200,000 less.”
Midvale serves about 110 kids in grades K through 12. The 2010 Census estimates 15.8% of Idahoans live in poverty. Idaho is tied with Oregon for the highest rate in the region. Wyoming has the lowest at 11.4%.
Copyright 2011 Boise State Public Radio.