Teacher benefits
Reports show large, unexplained discrepancies — just months apart — in trust fund’s balance
The Idaho Department of Insurance is investigating why these two reports differ by millions, while schools that have to cover the shortfall await answers.
Life after high school
Federal grant will help Idaho students showcase skills for college, careers
Artificial intelligence
Boise partners with OpenAI to upgrade ChatGPT for educators
Career Technical Education
Priest River forestry teacher turns vision into new student shop
Intercollegiate athletics
CWI seeks national affiliation for its fledgling sports program
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We regularly file public records requests, ask tough questions and follow the paper trail. Under Watch documents the challenges we encounter along the way — including unanswered requests, missing documents and denied or redacted records that deserve public scrutiny.
The EdNews Show Ep. 3: Talking elections with Jaclyn Kettler
All 105 legislative seats and seven statewide offices are up for grabs. A U.S. Senate candidate dropped out. Plus Idahoans will vote on the state’s near-total abortion ban.
Special Series
The Idaho School Benefit Trust ran out of money in 2026 — leaving nearly 100 districts and charters to confront a health insurance crisis that had been building for years.
The trust’s fund balance fell from $22.5 million in 2021 to $2.1 million in just four years. Manager Debbie Hainke notified members of a shortfall in July but has declined to provide members or EdNews with financial documents.
EdNews has tracked the trust’s unraveling through public records, interviews and reporting. Our continuing coverage will investigate the ultimate cost to teachers and taxpayers.
Opinion
Spelling it Out
This series aims to break down complex terms, ideas, and jargon in education and become a resource for taxpayers, educators, parents, and students.