Kevin Richert

Senior reporter and blogger Kevin Richert specializes in education politics and education policy. He has more than 35 years of experience in Idaho journalism. He is a frequent guest on "Idaho Reports" on Idaho Public Television and "Idaho Matters" on Boise State Public Radio. He can be reached at krichert@idahoednews.org

K-12 task force: what happens next?

Gov. Butch Otter’s education reform task force met Friday — with a strong show of consensus on a variety of issues. Now, the focus turns to the governor.

Education task force live blog

The education reform task force got down to business Friday, and here’s the rundown.

Task force releases its wish list

Many ideas from the state’s education reform task force figure to be costly and controversial — and some sound familiar. Task force members will meet Friday to sort through the ideas and make recommendations to Gov. Butch Otter.

In Wendell, a switch in school schedules

The Magic Valley school district joins the growing ranks of schools that have adopted a four-day class calendar.

North Star, Meridian come to agreement

Two months ago, Idaho’s largest school district began the public process of trying to close one of the state’s largest charter schools. On Thursday, the Meridian School Board did an about-face.

Otter: Cost a ‘limiting factor’ in K-12 reform

For Gov. Butch Otter’s education reform task force, Friday is decision day. The group will meet Friday to hammer out its recommendations.

K-12 endowment flap rooted in 2010 vote

This isn’t the first time Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Luna and fellow Republican Land Board members have been at odds over endowment payments to K-12.

Could furlough plan cost Nampa district?

It’s possible, after a district judge rejected the Nampa School District’s voluntary furlough plan. But according to the Idaho Education Association’s attorney, it’s too early to say what will happen next.

In Nampa, Sunny Ridge meets Lake Ridge

In Nampa, the first day of school brought together students and staffers from two nearby grade schools — including a school that was closed to reduce the district’s lingering shortfall.

Nampa union prevails in furlough dispute

The district’s superintendent had no authority to ask individual teachers to take unpaid furlough days, a judge ruled Friday. However, it’s unclear whether the ruling will add to the Nampa district’s financial woes.