Kevin’s blog

Expert analysis and the latest news from award-winning journalist Kevin Richert.

The complicated math of graduation rates

The backstory about Idaho’s fluctuating grad rates — and the perils in analyzing the new national numbers.

Twin Falls officials say little about $94,000 payout

District support services director Clara Allred made the “difficult decision” to retire, Allred’s attorney said in a statement to the Twin Falls Times-News.

The Bedke bucks, and other ‘member-to-member’ campaign contributions

House Speaker Scott Bedke isn’t the only sitting lawmaker who kicks his money into other legislative campaigns. But over the past few months, Bedke gave $18,750 to 36 Republican candidates.

Survey: Treasure Valley residents tepid on taxes for schools

In a survey of Treasure Valley residents, 52 percent of respondents favored paying higher taxes for education. Most Treasure Valley school districts have supplemental levies on the books, however.

Coeur d’Alene considers supplemental levy, bond issue

The district’s two-year, $30 million supplemental levy comes off the books in 2017 — and trustees are weighing their options.

State Board launches survey on school funding formula

The anonymous survey will be live for at least two weeks. Results will be reported publicly to a legislative committee reviewing the K-12 funding formula.

After coach’s arrest, Kuna launches personnel review

The district wants to make sure it performed background checks on other employees, Superintendent Wendy Johnson said Friday.

Dietrich seeks to seal files in sexual assault case

The Dietrich district filed its motion in court Tuesday, the same day news of an internal investigation went public.

Idaho shut out in feds’ ‘blue ribbon’ schools competition

The U.S. Department of Education award honors schools for high student achievement and for narrowing achievement gaps. An Idaho school hasn’t won the award since 2014.