Kevin’s blog

Otter adds $4.4 million to K-12 request

The new money is designed to accommodate added enrollment growth — equivalent to nearly 50 classrooms statewide.

State Board digs deeper into low grad rate numbers

High school graduation rates for virtual charter schools came in at 20 percent. Alternative high schools had a 36 percent rate.

Working group formed to revamp school funding formula

The group, unveiled late Thursday afternoon, is unlikely to produce any legislation during the 2016 session.

State Board to spearhead accountability effort

The State Board of Education hopes to field test the new system during the 2016-17 school year.

Otter STEM Action Center fund: ‘Think endowment’

The $10 million STEM Action Center fund is designed to pay for public-private partnerships for years.

Video: ‘Making the Grade,’ 1.13.16

This week’s topics: Gov. Butch Otter’s K12 budget request, and the West Ada School District’s decision to dump student class fees.

Broadband legal bills climb, again …

Still in dispute: More than $930,000 in legal fees the state may owe to Syringa Networks, the company that successfully sued to overturn the Idaho Education Network contract.

Powdered alcohol ban proposed

The state’s Liquor Division is worried that “Palcohol” could be smuggled into school cafeterias or sporting events.

West Ada trustees drop class fees

Trustees also agree to a contract with newly hired Superintendent Mary Ann Ranells.

At-risk behaviors — and a common thread

The state’s annual Youth Risk Behavior Survey yields some startling numbers about drug and alcohol use, sexual behavior and bullying.