Featured Series
Stories about Idaho’s educators, students and policy makers plus features on bright spots in Idaho education.
Two themes dominate ‘listening session’
50 people spoke during Friday’s 2 1/2-hour hearing.
K-12’s stake in the tax debate of the year
Gov. Butch Otter wants to repeal the personal property tax, an unpopular tax levied on business equipment and supplies. Some key legislators and lobbyists are on board. For K-12, an estimated $38.6 million is on the line.
ISBA collective bargaining bills introduced
Senate Education Committee Chairman John Goedde calls the bills a “toned-down” rewrite of Students Come First’s collective bargaining language. Sen. Branden Durst, D-Boise, called it “Luna laws (version) 2.0.”
Best practices presented to task force
The Education Task Force spent the morning listening to local and national experts talk about what works in education. The task force then spent the afternoon in five working groups, brainstorming ideas for improving student achievement.
Bill returns money to districts
Bill sponsor Rep. Reed DeMordaunt says without action, schools face a $30.6 million penalty following repeal.
2014 budget: Luna seeks 3 percent increase
Superintendent Tom Luna proposes an increase in overall education funding, an increase in teacher pay and he recommends funding the ideas produced by the governor’s education task force.
2013 budget: Put money back into education
Schools chief Tom Luna says money left in limbo because of Students Come First repeal must return to funding schools.
Pie Day draws a crowd at the Statehouse
Home-schoolers say thank you lawmakers.
U of I seeks to expand Boise law school
It may sound like a lawyer-joke punchline, but it’s not. The University of Idaho says the state isn’t producing enough lawyers — imposing a “hidden tax” on Idahoans who need legal help.
Lawmaker wants to protect cursive handwriting
Rep. Linden Bateman’s bill asks State Board members to create rules for teaching cursive handwriting, but not everyone thinks a new law is necessary.