Kevin’s blog
Expert analysis and the latest news from award-winning journalist Kevin Richert.
State Board to discuss higher education fees Wednesday
The state’s four-year schools froze tuition and fees for 2020-21. Presidents have tied the prospect of another freeze to the higher education budget that comes out of the Legislature.
New K-12 coronavirus cases drop somewhat
The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare reported at least 99 K-12 cases for a seven-day period ending Sunday, down from 111 new cases the previous week.
Full-day kindergarten bill dead for 2021 session
“It’s lost its momentum, is the best way to describe it at this point,” House Education Chairman Lance Clow told Betsy Russell of the Idaho Press last week.
Coronavirus trendline, 4.9.21: Case numbers remain stable, vaccination numbers rebound
While new case numbers were virtually unchanged overall, case numbers for preschool- and school-aged children increased rapidly. And the state passed a vaccination milestone; more than 500,000 Idahoans have received at least one vaccine.
K-12 coronavirus numbers climb again after spring break
The week-to-week increase was a steep 56 percent. Even so, K-12 cases closely mirror numbers from two weeks ago, and remain far below the peak from the fall.
Coronavirus trendline, 4.2.21: Vaccination numbers slow, infection rate remains stagnant
The state administered 77,431 vaccines in the past week — but that represents a 17 percent dropoff from last week’s record vaccination rate.
U of I, Boise State push for student COVID vaccines
Under new, relaxed local guidelines, the vaccines should be readily available to students at the University of Idaho, Boise State University and Idaho State University.
‘It’s a complicated issue:’ Lawmaker reflects on demise of teacher insurance bill
The House had passed Rep. Rod Furniss’ bill, which would have allowed school districts to use career ladder dollars to cover the costs of putting teachers under the state insurance plan. The Senate Education Committee killed the bill on March 15.
New K-12 coronavirus cases near six-month low
This week’s dropoff coincided with Spring Break in many of the state’s largest school districts.
Coronavirus trendline, 3.26.21: Case numbers slow, vaccinations hit new peak
Weekly case numbers decreased by 11 percent. Vaccinations increased by 12 percent.