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Idaho Department of Lands distributes over $61 million in endowment funds
KMVT, 12-19-23
BOISE, Idaho (KMVT/KSVT) — Christmas came early to the Idaho capital as the beneficiaries of public lands in Idaho got a big boost.
Members of the Idaho Land Board of Commissioners met at the capitol for the annual distribution to the endowment fund beneficiaries, and it is the biggest to date at over $61 million. That income is from investments and revenue generated from endowment lands, as well being good stewards according to Idaho Department of Lands Director Dustin Miller.
“Based off the income of the endowment lands is from our management activities as well as income from the financial investments. So that’s significant. Things such as timber harvest, livestock grazing leases, recreational leases and a number of other things have gone into producing that income,” Miller said.
One of the biggest beneficiaries is Idaho public schools, one of the land board members includes Superintendent of Public Instruction Debbie Critchfield.
She spent her first year on the land board and had a part in the managing of Idaho’s endowment lands.
She said, “Anytime you see a big check you know that there are big numbers attached to that and so when I look at that I look at that as a way we are lowering taxes for all our citizens. The endowment contributes to the overall funding of state education it helps take pressure off local taxpayers, so those bigger numbers mean bigger results for the land board.”
Idaho schools to share $61M in endowment land funding revenue
KTVB, 12-19-23
BOISE, Idaho — The Idaho public schools are set to receive funding over $61M in endowment funding distributed for the fiscal year of 2024. According to a news release this was the largest portion of the money that was distributed to other beneficiaries.
The Idaho Board of Land Commissioners (IBL) presented a giant ceremonial check to the Superintendent of Public Instruction, Debbie Critchfield, and members of the Capital Singers on Tuesday inside the rotunda of the Idaho State Capitol building.
"It is exciting to receive this check on behalf of Idaho's school children from the hard earned money from the endowment fund," Critchfield said. "The men and women of Idaho Department of Lands (IDL) and the Endowment Fund Investment Board (EFIB) believe in the endowment mission. The revenue made from endowment lands and endowment investments makes a difference."
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Idaho Land Board distributes $61 million to public schools
Capital Press, 12-19-23
Idaho public schools are receiving a $61.5 million distribution for the current school year from state endowment land and investments.
The schools’ portion is the largest of the $100.3 million distributed to all endowment beneficiaries, according to a press release from the Idaho Department of Lands.
The Idaho Board of Land Commissioners presented a symbolic check to Superintendent of Public Instruction Debbie Critchfield and the youths in the Capital Singers on Tuesday during a holiday celebration in the rotunda.
“It is exciting to receive this check on behalf of Idaho’s school children from the hard-earned money from the endowment fund,” Critchfield said in the press release.
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Tubing Hill closed after operator became ill
BoiseDev, 12-18-23
A popular tubing hill near Idaho City will remain closed this winter until a new operator steps in.
The caretaker at Steamboat Gulch Tubing Hill is in need of a liver transplant and can no longer maintain operations. Steamboat is on endowment land managed by the Idaho Department of Lands, and while the tubing hill has been unattended to the public in the past, there have been significant problems, according to IDOL.
“Given the past abuse and high rehabilitation costs, leaving Steamboat Gulch open for unattended public recreation would likely lead to more costly damage," said IDOL Director Dustin Miller. “During one period when Steamboat Gulch was without a caretaker, the department removed two truckloads of trash from the hill each week during the winter. Our prior partners kept this parcel accessible to the public and helped protect it from vandals and litterbugs.”
While IDOL looks for a new caretaker, Steamboat will remain closed.
Choir, Check, and Cheer at the Idaho Capitol
Pocatello Chubbuck Observer, 12-15-23
Boise–The Idaho State Board of Land Commissioners (Land Board) will celebrate the holidays with a performance from a local high school choir and check presentation to students. The celebration will take place 8:30 a.m., Tuesday, December 19 at the Idaho Capitol 2nd Floor Rotunda at 700 West Jefferson Street in Boise.
Celebration includes:
Christmas carols courtesy of the Capital Singers (elite Capital High School choir) and the presentation of the traditional “Big Check.”
The Land Board will present the symbolic check to school children that recognizes the endowment lands and fund distribution of $61,532,200 for Fiscal Year 2024.
There are nine endowment beneficiaries that include Idaho’s public schools, universities, state hospitals for the mentally ill, state veterans homes, the Idaho School for the Deaf and Blind, Idaho’s juvenile corrections system, and Idaho’s prison system.
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Steamboat Gulch Tubing Hill remains closed, looking for new operator
KIVI, 12-15-23
A popular winter hotspot is looking for a new operator.
Steamboat Gulch Tubing Hill near Idaho City will remain closed, for now, as its former caretaker is unable to continue operations due to health issues.
In the past, Steamboat Gulch has been left open and unattended for public recreation but suffered from significant problems and damage.
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Tubing hopes on hold: Steamboat Gulch tubing hill closed until new operator hired
KTVB, 12-15-23
DAHO CITY, Idaho — Tubing is a popular winter activity in Idaho, unfortunately the Steamboat Gulch tubing hill near Idaho City will be closed until further notice. The Idaho Department of Lands (IDL) is looking for a new operator after the previous one quit due to health reasons.
"Given the past abuse and high rehabilitation costs, leaving Steamboat Gulch open for unattended public recreation would likely lead to more costly damage," said IDL Director Dustin Miller. "Closing endowment land to the public is a last course of action we always strive to avoid,"
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Merry Christmas for Idaho's Public Schools
Posted December 19, 2023
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Idaho Land Board Announces a Merry $61 Million Distribution to Public Schools after Capital Singers Performance
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 19, 2023
Boise, ID - It is a very Merry Christmas for Idaho’s public schools this year. Public schools are receiving a $61,532,200 distribution for the current school year, which is the largest portion of the $100,315,00 distributed to all endowment beneficiaries.
Funding for this distribution comes from money earned from managing endowment land and investments.
Steamboat Gulch
Posted December 18, 2023
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The Steamboat Gulch Tubing Hill, a popular winter destination located less than two miles from downtown Idaho City and an hour from Boise on endowment land, is looking for a new operator to bring back the thrills.
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