Kevin’s blog

Expert analysis and the latest news from award-winning journalist Kevin Richert.

The K-12 committee, by the numbers

A few fun facts about the K-12 legislative interim committee.

Nampa searching for new finance officer

Michelle Yankovich was hired to help guide the Nampa School District through a deep financial crisis. She will return to the private sector this summer.

‘Sink or swim:’ Dem chairman rips GOP leaders

A boatload of criticism? In a guest opinion, the chairman of the state’s Democratic Party takes on Gov. Butch Otter, Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Luna and House Speaker Scott Bedke.

Claims and counterclaims in Melba

Melba school superintendent Andrew Grover is denying allegations that his district has failed to cooperate with two separate sex investigations — and says the district has a “workable” school safety plan.

Crapo rips federal cuts to rural schools

Rural counties and school districts are paying the price — unfairly — for federal budget cuts, Idaho Republican Sen. Mike Crapo said Wednesday.

Which lawmakers will study K-12 this summer?

The answer to this question — and questions about other summer legislative committee assignments — will come Thursday morning.

Key budgeting week for Nampa School District

The Nampa School Board will talk budget Tuesday night. And then, on Friday, the district and the local teachers’ union sit down for a negotiating session.

Per-pupil spending: a family factor?

Idaho consistently ranks near the bottom nationally in per-pupil spending. Are the state’s family demographics a factor?

Nonini campaigns in School Board races

It is a little like deja vu all over again. State Sen. Bob Nonini, no stranger to weighing in during election season, signed a campaign letter last week endorsing two Post Falls School Board candidates.

A Middleton School Board election do-over

Twenty-three Middleton voters were given the wrong ballots Tuesday — and were allowed to vote in what turned out to be a deadlocked School Board race. Canyon County will have to hold the election again.