Kevin’s blog
Expert analysis and the latest news from award-winning journalist Kevin Richert.
Souza unveils another bill to move school board elections
In other news Wednesday, Gov. Butch Otter’s office unveils its latest bill to create an “adult completer” college scholarship for older students.
Jordan resigns from Legislature to focus on governor’s race
Paulette Jordan had been splitting her time between campaigning and serving in the House. In other news, a former House Democratic leader is backing Boise school trustee A.J. Balukoff’s gubernatorial campaign.
As advanced opportunities program grows, some gaps are evident
In 2016-17, 27,859 junior and senior high school students took college-level classes. But students of color and students in poverty are less likely to take advantage of the state’s program.
Coeur d’Alene hires new superintendent
Steven Cook is deputy superintendent in the 68,000-student Douglas County School District in suburban Denver. He will assume the top job in Coeur d’Alene on July 1.
UPDATED: What are Ybarra and Dillon saying about fundraising?
Idaho Education News contacted both Republican campaigns about their lackluster 2017 fundraising numbers.
Scott seeks to clamp down on ‘repeat’ bond issues and levies
Rep. Heather Scott, R-Blanchard, wants school districts and local governments to have to wait a year before running a failed bond issue or levy.
ISU downplays competition from new community college
In an interview with the Idaho State Journal, ISU President Arthur Vailas instead touts the potential to partner with the fledgling College of Eastern Idaho.
Staben sees ‘some opportunity’ in higher ed CEO proposal
The $769,500 proposal could help streamline higher education operations, University of Idaho President Chuck Staben said. But the details need to be cleared up. “I think we have to work out exactly what that initiative looks like.”
In other K-12 news, sex ed and ‘education freedom’ bills surface
Rep. Julie VanOrden wants to rewrite a sex education law that hasn’t been updated since 1970. And Rep. Ron Nate wants Idaho to say no to federal K-12 money … gradually.
Vailas voices support for higher ed ‘CEO’
“Higher education, whether we like it or not, has to evolve as a business,” the retiring Idaho State University president told the Senate Education Committee Wednesday afternoon.