Mr. Simmons — Explained that IDLA's statutory goal is to provide choice, accessibility, flexibility, quality, and equity, and that it was designed as a statewide online solution.
Mr. Simmons — Continued explaining that a statewide program was needed because many districts could not scale online learning on their own.
Mr. Simmons — Responded that serving rural schools is part of IDLA's mission, while urban schools also have needs.
Mr. Simmons — Was interrupted while responding about urban schools and mission scope.
Mr. Simmons — Expected to respond regarding budget growth and operational improvements.
Mr. Simmons — Began responding to the question about efficiency and lean operations.
Mr. Simmons — Said the program reviews efficiency and lean operations every year.
Mr. Simmons — Explained that IDLA funding is based on enrollment and that increased demand from districts drives budget growth.
Mr. Simmons — Explained that private programs often advertise lower curriculum-only prices and do not include a teacher.
Mr. Simmons — Explained that private program pricing rises when teacher costs are included and began addressing the refund/forecasting question.
Mr. Simmons — Explained the enrollment projection process, the 80/20 funding split, and why money was returned to school districts.
Mr. Simmons — Explained that money was returned to school districts to reflect course fee amounts and over-budget receipts.
Mr. Simmons — Said he cannot speak for the governor but warned that a $10 million cut would equal a 40% reduction in overall funding.
Mr. Simmons — Explained that IDLA has an annual independent audit and reports it to the board, website, and Department of Education.
Mr. Simmons — Said the annual audit has had no recommendations for three years and described reporting requirements for enrollments, teachers, and courses.
Mr. Simmons — Was asked to explain the relationship between staffing and finances.
Mr. Simmons — Explained that teachers are part-time, paid per enrollment, and do not receive benefits, which affects the budget graph.
Mr. Simmons — Clarified that the graph understates employee count because teachers are part-time.
Mr. Simmons — Acknowledges the question and begins responding to the equity discussion.
Mr. Simmons — Begins responding to the equity question.
Mr. Simmons — Explains that equity means bringing everyone to the same playing field and says rural communities have a greater need, while IDLA is available to all students.
Mr. Simmons — Says IDLA has tried to make the program available to all students and responds to a question about whether the governor's proposed cut reflects how equity has been applied.
Mr. Simmons — Responds that he would not say the 40% cut reflects the equity definition and explains rural and urban enrollment participation.
Mr. Simmons — The question is directed to Mr. Simmons for possible follow-up data.
Mr. Simmons — Says he does not have the number of students who would not have graduated on time without IDLA.
Mr. Simmons — Explains that many students take classes unavailable locally and that growth in required-for-graduation courses suggests many would not graduate without IDLA.
Mr. Simmons — Says he has the savings figure for families through a dual credit program but does not have it in front of him.
Mr. Simmons — Says IDLA has been working with Representative Petsky on draft legislation to implement the governor's recommended budget cut.
Mr. Simmons — Says there is draft legislation to implement the governor's recommended budget cut.
Mr. Simmons — Says IDLA tried to protect rural schools in the budget-cut proposal but that a 40% cut will still affect them.
Mr. Simmons — Explains that teachers are paid per enrollment, with additional pay for meeting criteria tied to student learning.
Mr. Simmons — Explains the per-student pay structure and the additional $30 incentive for meeting performance criteria.
Mr. Simmons — Says the IC reporting number is causing confusion and explains that the funding report to LSO shows average part-time teacher salary.
Mr. Simmons — Explains that IDLA teachers and principals are part-time IDLA employees and may also be under contract elsewhere, with a separation between district time and IDLA time.
Mr. Simmons — Explained that most IDLA courses are asynchronous.
Mr. Simmons — Explained that most courses are asynchronous, allowing teachers and students to work at different times and providing flexibility.
Mr. Simmons — Said IDLA instruction should not occur during the contract day and reported about $3.6 million in family savings from the dual credit program last year.
Mr. Simmons — Responded that students take classes mainly because they are not offered locally or because of scheduling conflicts.
Mr. Simmons — Explained that classes generally need 10 to 12 enrollments to break even, though the program remains student-focused.
Mr. Simmons — Said the program is considering how to protect rural schools if availability is limited and referenced work with Representative Petsky on a 40% reduction proposal.
Mr. Simmons — Began responding to the double-dipping concern.
Mr. Simmons — Explained that private, homeschool, and public students are all reported as enrollments; said private school enrollment is about 2 to 3% of overall enrollment.
Mr. Simmons — Said private school enrollment is about 2 to 3% of overall enrollment and that homeschool students are reported through a public school enrollment.
Mr. Simmons — Responded that IDLA does use AI.
Mr. Simmons — Explained that AI is incorporated into acceptable use and plagiarism policies, and that staff use AI for efficiency while students are not yet directly using it.
Mr. Simmons — Said the goal is to use AI in learning in a way that reflects workforce use while preserving human connection and not replacing teachers or communication.
Mr. Simmons — Was addressed as the witness responding to questions about the LaunchPad program.
Mr. Simmons — Explained that the program serves small rural schools and helps fill gaps where literacy dollars do not cover staff costs.
Mr. Simmons — Said the program costs more to deliver than the funding received, but IDLA continues it because it supports rural schools.
Mr. Simmons — Said the LaunchPad program costs more than its funding and may be eliminated if the proposed $10 million cut to IDLA funding is enacted.