Month: February 2020
Episode 200: Short Tempers and Plenty of Legislative Action
Get caught up on teacher salaries, transgender athletics, school election dates and more.
Statehouse roundup, 2.28.20: House passes teacher pay and school elections bills
It was a long Friday of policymaking and protest at the Statehouse. Lawmakers passed a teacher salary bill and a bill to limit school elections. Meanwhile, more than 100 people — largely students — protested a series of bills limiting transgender rights.
Twin Falls district freezes spending in wake of shortfall
The Magic Valley district is running a $1.4 million shortfall, the Twin Falls Times-News reported Thursday.
Analysis: Whatever became of the 60 percent goal?
The State Board of Education says it isn’t abandoning a decade-long goal: convincing 60 percent of the state’s 25- to 34-year-olds to get a college degree or certificate. But the numbers aren’t moving, and state leaders aren’t talking much about this goal these days.
Statehouse roundup, 2.27.20: House Education says no
Find out why legislators killed a classroom supplies bill and if sparks flew over campus diversity when Boise State President Marlene Tromp faced the House Education Committee.
We should support the investment in the Idaho education initiative
Our current situation is discouraging — but there’s good news: As Idaho voters, we’ve been given the power to act.
Removing election dates could be detrimental to Idaho’s students and communities
The Idaho School Boards Association asks the Legislature to keep the four election dates intact so school trustees can determine what is necessary for the health and educational needs of their students.
House passes transgender athletics ban
Democrats led the charge against House Bill 500, calling it hurtful, unnecessary and unconstitutional. But 51 Republicans sided with Rep. Barbara Ehardt, R-Idaho Falls, sending her bill to the Senate.
Statehouse roundup, 2.26.20: Governor’s teacher pay plan clears a major hurdle
Following two days of testimony, the House Education Committee voted unanimously to advance a $223 million proposal that would raise pay for veteran teachers.
Teacher retention concerns revive push for four-day schools
Two districts recently dropped Fridays from their calendars. One of East Idaho’s largest might do the same.