Kevin’s blog
Expert analysis and the latest news from award-winning journalist Kevin Richert.
National study: Idaho higher ed budget increases defy trends
Idaho’s higher education spending has increased by 33 percent in five years, according to research released this week. Only eight states reported larger increases.
In accountability pledge, Labrador invokes Idaho Education Network mess
As a state legislator, Republican gubernatorial candidate Raul Labrador supported creating the Idaho Education Network. He blames “pay to play” politics for the project’s demise.
Holmes signs extension in Blaine County
GwenCarol Holmes, Blaine County’s superintendent since 2014, will stay on through 2021.
BSU survey: Idahoans are optimistic, but not about K-12
Sixty-three percent of respondents rate Idaho’s K-12 system as fair or poor — and 66 percent of respondents say the state is doing a fair or poor job of preparing high school graduates for the future.
D-plus and holding: Idaho scores low in Education Week report
Education Week also graded the states on per-pupil spending and percentage of taxable resources spent on schools. Idaho ranked dead last.
Analysis: Tommy Ahlquist on pre-K, then and now
In 2014, Tommy Ahlquist called a $600,000 state pilot a low-risk starting point to address pre-K. Now, the Republican gubernatorial candidate says he opposes state funding for pre-K.
Ahlquist, Little reject state-funded pre-K push
The Republican gubernatorial candidates made their remarks at a Twin Falls City Club forum. Rep. Raul Labrador did not attend the forum, but he has said he opposes state-funded pre-K.
Shoshone district sued over response to reported rape
A federal lawsuit alleges the Shoshone School District told a student to leave school after she reported a rape. The district will present a “vigorous and detailed” legal response by Feb. 1, Superintendent Rob Waite told the Twin Falls Times-News.
Ahlquist’s $100 million plan: a spending cut, or a shift?
GOP gubernatorial candidate Tommy Ahlquist has promised to cut $100 million in state spending. But he is suggesting he might shift these savings elsewhere in the budget.
Kuna district sued over sexual allegations
In the lawsuit, attorneys seek at least $2 million in damages, saying employees knew an office manager was “grooming” a student for a sexual relationship. The Idaho Statesman reported on the civil suit Thursday.