Kevin’s blog
Expert analysis and the latest news from award-winning journalist Kevin Richert.
Durst splitting time between Idaho, Washington
Sen. Branden Durst, D-Boise, has been living part-time in Washington state, where his wife is teaching. Durst says he will attend Thursday’s meeting of a legislative interim committee assigned to study K-12 education issues.
WiFi contractor agrees to restructure deal
Under the restructuring, Education Networks of America will be paid based on the number of schools signing up for the WiFi project. This could reduce — but probably won’t eliminate — the price gap between ENA and the contract’s low bidder.
Fusing technology pilots with Common Core
Kuna Middle School is among 11 Idaho schools facing a unique challenge — testing out technology pilot projects while rolling out new Common Core standards. How will they juggle the two?
Economist: Lands transfer doesn’t pencil out
If states such as Idaho were ever to wrest away control of federal lands, they would also be saddled with the high, and rising, costs of firefighting, a Bozeman, Mont.-based economist said in Boise Thursday.
Group seeks to boost college enrollment
A consortium of Treasure Valley education, business and community leaders wants to encourage students to apply for college — and financial aid.
As the governor’s race turns …
Former Canyon County Prosecutor John Bujak might — or might not — run for governor. But in the meantime, he has the go-ahead to again practice law.
A frequent candidate looks at governor’s race
Harley Brown has run for everything from Congress to Boise mayor to highway district commissioner. Now, he says he wants experience in the ‘little league’ of running state government.
The career ladder plan: another look
Gov. Butch Otter’s education task force has a list of arguments for a new “career ladder” to boost teacher pay. But the fate of the proposal may hinge on how legislators feel about teachers — and current teacher pay.
Otter endorses task force recommendations
Responding to questions at a Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce luncheon Tuesday, Gov. Butch Otter threw his support behind the 21 far-reaching recommendations of his education reform task force.
Common Core cluelessness: a sobering survey
Fifty-two percent of parents say they’ve heard “only a little” or “nothing at all” about the Common Core standards, which are being launched in Idaho and 44 other states.