In other news, a Nampa student gets a hearing on a bill to give high-achieving students a more flexible high school schedule.
Top News
Monday’s big K-12 budget hearing: what to watch for
Lawmakers will make decisions that could dictate where the state’s public school dollars go — and set the stage for other spending bills down the road.
Idaho’s ‘go-on rate’ shows no improvement
Fewer than 45 percent of the state’s high school graduates went straight to college last fall. Despite a multimillion-dollar campaign to encourage students to continue their education, this number has remained stagnant.
AG outlines renewal conditions for embattled charter school
The state is recommending changes to the school’s financial practices, training for trustees and improved academic achievement.
Education groups express concerns with proposed school funding formula
More than 120 people — including school superintendents and other administrators, trustees, educators, parents and taxpayers — filled the Statehouse’s largest hearing room.
Former executive accuses IEA president of improper behavior
Three months after leaving the union, former executive director Sue Wigdorski sent a scathing letter to the IEA’s board of directors. The IEA says the complaints against President Kari Overall are “unfounded and without merit.”
Legislature unveils draft of funding formula bill
The proposal to change Idaho’s K-12 school funding formula is expected to be the biggest education debate of the year.
Charter commission to visit two schools under investigation
The state agency plans to interview trustees and review financial records at Bingham Academy and Blackfoot Charter Community Learning Center.
Utah college has no record it sold modulars to Idaho charter school administrator
Fred Ball says he purchased modulars from Salt Lake Community College. He has not produced a bill of sale, yet his school paid him $16,000 for their purchase.
Ybarra requests 8 percent increase for education budget built around teacher raises
The superintendent’s requests are significantly different than Gov. Brad Little’s requests for education funding.
Ybarra faces an uphill fight on mastery education
The superintendent wants more money for mastery education, and she wants to get rid of a cap on pilot programs. That could be a long-shot battle for Ybarra, who has had limited success getting her agenda through the Statehouse.
Survey: Idahoans want accountability for educators
Learn more about what Idahoans say about their public education system.
In Year Four of a five-year plan, teacher salaries increase by 3.4 percent
However, lawmakers will have to make several key decisions on teacher pay in the next few weeks.
Idaho’s graduation rate reaches a high-water mark
Idaho’s high school graduation rate topped the 80 percent mark in 2018. “The pace is accelerating,” state superintendent Sherri Ybarra said Thursday.
Administrator shares documents — but no receipts — to explain financial transactions
Fred Ball gave EdNews copies of his bank and credit card statements and an estimate from Lowe’s Home Improvements to verify thousands in reimbursements from two charter schools he heads.
After her re-election, Ybarra hired campaign allies to SDE jobs
Meanwhile, a Nampa media company worked on Ybarra’s campaign, then landed taxpayer-funded work with Ybarra’s SDE, then went back to working on her campaign — all in the same year.
State of the State: Little says education will be his top priority
The new governor called for spending almost $60 million on teacher pay, increasing the investment in literacy and launching a new education task force.
Analysis: In his first day on the job, Little embraces the long view
On Monday, Idaho’s new governor set the stage for the 2019 legislative session. But Brad Little also set several issues aside for another day. Or another year.
Idaho teacher acquitted of animal cruelty
Students and teachers testified about the details of a biology teacher feeding a puppy to a snapping turtle in front of students.
Jurors selected in animal cruelty case involving Idaho teacher
The trial is scheduled to reconvene Friday at 9 a.m.