Coeur d'Alene School District approves $107 million budget for 2026-27

Coeur d'Alene School District trustees approved a $107 million budget for 2026-27, putting $93 million into salaries and benefits as the district braces for higher health-care costs and a student count that is expected to stay near 9,675. The unanimous vote on Monday, June 23, followed a public hearing earlier in June and set the spending plan for a district that serves about 10,000 students across 10 elementary schools, three middle schools, three high schools, a developmental preschool and KTEC.

Finance director Tyler Morton built the budget around competitive salaries, cost-of-living increases, fiscal responsibility and academic return on investment. The budget includes about $2.1 million in additional revenue next year, with roughly half of that coming from state discretionary dollars that will help absorb a sharp jump in employee health costs.

Health insurance expenses increased 19.5% and dental insurance costs rose 6%, and the medical renewal alone is expected to add about $2.6 million to next year’s healthcare bill. Even with the new revenue, the district remains underfunded by about $8.6 million overall, a gap that must be covered with general fund dollars or local levy support.

Idaho’s school funding formula is built on average daily attendance, which is converted into support units that drive state salary, benefit and discretionary apportionments. Coeur d'Alene funds more than 160 positions beyond what the state formula provides. The district employs 511 instructional staff, while the state allowance covers 463, leaving a funding gap of about $3 million for instructional staff alone.

Cost-saving efforts are projected to generate about $300,000 through purchasing rebates, utility audits and other operational efficiencies. Coeur d'Alene Public Schools is the second-largest employer in Kootenai County and ranks sixth among Idaho’s 114 public school districts.