IDAHO

Education themes dominate budget hearing

Parents, educators and stakeholders turned out in large numbers to support education programs.

Teacher ‘premium’ bill makes its debut

The $15.9 million proposal is seen as a down payment on a $253 million teacher career salary ladder. But Gov. Butch Otter has recommended no pay raises for teachers.

Education news roundup: Thursday, Feb. 13

Leading Thursday’s roundup: A bill to provide $10 million in income tax credits for individuals or companies that support private school scholarship funds resurfaces. Plus, the latest on new physical education requirements.

Ed chairmen double down on task force

Rep. Reed DeMordaunt and Sen. John Goedde again called for support of the task force recommendations — especially supporting Gov. Butch Otter’s call to spend $35 million to partially restore recession era cuts schools absorbed.

Education news roundup, Wednesday, Feb. 12

Students and teachers make a push to plow more money into ag programs. A new round of labor bills has consensus support. And it’s take two for a bill that would allow rural school districts to hire the spouses of trustees. Today’s Statehouse roundup.

JFAC backs Otter’s revenue estimate

The 2014-15 state budget will be built around a 6.4 percent increase in revenues.

Idaho educator doubles as Olympic artist

Blaine County’s interim superintendent John Blackman painted helmets for Olympic champion skier Picabo Street. His latest painting arrived in Russia just in time for this week’s women’s skeleton race.

New candidate enters superintendent’s race

Sherri Ybarra, a 17-year educator from Mountain Home, is jumping into what is (for now) a three-way May 20 Republican primary. One of her campaign platforms: not overtesting Idaho students.

Senators chew over Schoolnet project

The state has made progress on fixing problems with a multimillion-dollar student information system, an Education Department official said Tuesday. But senators still have questions about its long-range future.