Super Struggle

Why school leadership jobs became unpopular

Our four-story series on the increasing challenges of being an Idaho superintendent
This series was supported by a grant from the Education Writers Association.

Moscow Superintendent Shawn Tiegs laughs while playing in a giant parachute with students during the first day of school on Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2025, in Moscow, Id.

‘Your job is to truly listen:’ Moscow superintendent manages district vision

Highland Superintendent Tana Kellogg smiles as she helps students get on their buses after school on Monday, May 19, 2025, in Craigmont, Id.

‘Everybody here wears so many hats:’ Highland superintendent, staff, take on multiple jobs

mobile-super-turnover

Idaho superintendent turnover higher than national rate

Highland Superintendent Tana Kellogg works in her office on Monday, May 19, 2025, in Craigmont, Id.

This generation of leaders is being asked to take on even more

Pay, politics and an increased workload are among the reasons educators increasingly opt not to pursue superintendent jobs.

More news »

Get EdNews in your inbox

Weekly round up every Friday

Boise State University (Kaeden Lincoln/IdahoEdNews)

Boise State considers renaming Cesar Chavez Lane

Ford Idaho Center (Cjeakin/Wikimedia Commons)

Preseason? CWI begins shopping for an athletic director

College of Idaho

Idaho colleges may face new foreign competition for international students

More from Kevin's blog »

Opinion

Three questions about education spending in Idaho, and where we go from here

Chris Cargill

Before Idaho expands NIL, it needs guardrails.

Alex Moore

Transparency and common sense win in Idaho legislature

Chris Cargill

What if we treated Idaho’s ‘moment of silence’ not as a mandate — but as an invitation?

Sherrilynn Bair

 Idaho’s budgeting process – throwing together feathers, hoping for a duck

Jim Jones

More opinion »

Episode 104: A pre-session preview for 2026

Shakeups at the Statehouse.

A shortage of money.

And an election year.

It’s shaping up to be a turbulent 2026 legislative session. Which means it could be a long session as well.

To set the stage for the Jan. 12 kickoff of the session — and beyond — Kevin Richert and Ryan Suppe sit down with Idaho School Boards Association deputy director Quinn Perry and Idaho Education Association assistant executive director Matt Compton.

More podcasts »

In March 2025, West Ada middle school teacher Sarah Inama was told by her boss to remove a classroom sign that read, “Everyone is Welcome Here."

She refused, and took to the airwaves to tell her side of the story. District leaders were far less transparent and not united in their reasoning.

Confusion remains ahead of the upcoming school year — as teachers decide how to decorate their classrooms, and the state prepares to handle complaints.

Idaho Education News has closely followed the developments and will continue to write about how the new state law — and opposition to the law — impacts teachers, kids and school culture.

Follow our coverage here »

Spelling it Out

Spelling it out: Online Schools

Spelling it out: nursing programs in Idaho

Spelling it Out: Fund Balances

Spelling it Out: How public schools are funded

Spelling it out: How a bill becomes a law