exclusive

More trustee seats are contested this election cycle than last

But over 70% of races still only have one candidate. Find out inside whether your district has any contested elections.

A look inside unredacted McGeachin task force files

The overwhelming majority of the 3,602 comments Idaho Lt. Gov. Janice McGeachin received regarding her education task force were critical or pushed back against allegations of indoctrination in schools. 

Analysis: The harsh realities of a children’s pandemic

Idaho kids are contracting the coronavirus, in record numbers. Some are very sick. Schools are struggling with the effects. And it’s likely to get worse.

Kustra won’t run for office, but he will speak out about Idaho politics

“I wouldn’t waste my time trying to run as a Republican here because I couldn’t get elected in a Republican primary these days,” said the former Boise State University president, who laments the GOP’s rightward shift in recent years.

Idaho schools could get COVID testing cash in ‘a matter of days’

Thirteen schools and districts are set to receive money, and 46 have signaled interest.

Some districts do away with extra COVID leave for teachers

Some of Idaho’s biggest districts are no longer offering extra COVID-specific sick leave, while others across the state are using federal funds to keep providing the coverage.

Two charter schools closing amid state investigation

There’s no guarantee the state will recover millions of dollars the schools erroneously collected by inflating student enrollment reports.

Districts worry about return to attendance-based funding amid COVID-19 absences

Some districts are seeing 15-20% absence rates, which could hurt the attendance averages used to calculate payments from the state.

Idaho climbs in national graduation rankings

The state escaped the bottom 10 for grad rates during the pandemic, according to our nationwide analysis.

Victor’s mask debacle reflects statewide debate

The mayor made masks mandatory. The school district is refusing to comply. The intergovernmental spat has simmered into a legal debate.