Kevin’s blog
Expert analysis and the latest news from award-winning journalist Kevin Richert.
Otter signs four K-12 budgets
The list includes bills to boost pay for teachers and school administrators.
Analysis: The Idaho Education Network battle gets personal
Gov. Butch Otter may have set out to tout next year’s K-12 budget increase — but his post-legislative session news conference escalated the tensions over Idaho’s failed high school broadband project.
SBAC, Round 2: Schools begin testing period
State officials are hoping for a quicker test and a smoother grading process — and say the state will benefit from collecting another year of student data.
Judge: West Ada recalls are a go
Ada County District Judge Deborah Bail rejected a appeal to call off two of the three recalls, scheduled for May 17.
ACLU urges Bible bill veto
The Bible-in-schools bill is in Gov. Butch Otter’s hands. And the governor isn’t saying what he’ll do with it. But the American Civil Liberties Union is urging Otter to veto the bill — and urging its membership to lobby the governor. A link on the ACLU’s website allows members to email Otter directly. Here’s an…
McMillan mum on votes against K-12 budgets
Three-term Rep. Shannon McMillan, R-Silverton, refused to explain her votes to the Lewiston Tribune.
Do-over: Caldwell trustees hire superintendent
Once again, Caldwell trustees offered their superintendent’s job to Shalene French, human resources director of the Bonneville School District.
T-minus two days? Legislature nears adjournment
Senate Majority Leader Bart Davis says the 2016 Legislature could wrap up its work Wednesday. And at this point, K-12 issues are all but settled.
A.G.’s office: Scholarships to religious colleges may violate Constitution
The March 3 opinion seems to support a main argument for amending the “Blaine Amendment,” which prohibits the use of state dollars to support sectarian schools.
Responding to Ed News’ complaint, Caldwell admits open meeting violation
Trustees denied holding an illegal vote in a closed meeting. But they will revisit Saturday’s decision to hire a new superintendent.