Kevin’s blog
Expert analysis and the latest news from award-winning journalist Kevin Richert.
Souza says she’ll make another run at moving trustee elections
Sen. Mary Souza wants to move school board elections onto the general election ballot. A 5.7 percent voter turnout in her home county Tuesday did nothing to change her mind.
DeVos declines education writers’ invite
“(Education Writers Association) has been privileged to hear from every previous education secretary, dating to the Carter administration,” the group said in a message to its members.
Outgoing CDA superintendent to receive an extra $20,000 for consulting
Outgoing Superintendent Matt Handelman’s exit strategy is spelled out in an April 21 amended contract. The Coeur d’Alene Press spent weeks trying to get a copy of the paperwork.
Erpelding praises Tuesday’s school votes, questions GOP priorities
House Minority Leader Mat Erpelding, D-Boise, criticized GOP central committees and conservatives that “continue to rail against measures that will benefit all of us.”
Nampa bond rating gets another upgrade
Moody’s Investors Service upgraded Nampa’s bond rating for the third successive year. In 2014, the district erased a $5.3 million shortfall.
The governor’s race: following the early dollars
U.S. Rep. Raul Labrador jumps into the race for governor at a financial disadvantage. Here’s a look at the early fundraising.
Otter pushes for Bonneville County community college
Creating a full-fledged community college represents “a smart investment that will keep paying off for years to come,” Gov. Butch Otter said in a guest opinion issued Friday.
Now, the 1st Congressional District shuffle begins
Among the early names to watch: former Attorney General and Lt. Gov. David Leroy, and former state superintendent Tom Luna.
Tax collections beat forecasts — but most of the money is spoken for
Revenues came in $49.6 million ahead of projections, but only a small fraction of the money could wind up going into education budgets.
The surprising/not surprising political news of the day
U.S. Rep. Raul Labrador’s move into Idaho’s governor’s race was a long time coming. The only surprise was in its timing.