News

The latest and breaking news and investigative reports about Idaho public education.

Nampa teacher turnover rate at 23 percent

As the Nampa School District begins its 2013-14 school year and attempts to wipe out a $5 million shortfall, the teacher turnover rate appears to be even heavier than district administrators or union leaders expected.

K-12 task force endorses 21 proposals

A wide-ranging group of stakeholders OKs a wide-ranging menu of ideas.

Task force releases its wish list

Many ideas from the state’s education reform task force figure to be costly and controversial — and some sound familiar. Task force members will meet Friday to sort through the ideas and make recommendations to Gov. Butch Otter.

Bonneville reaches tentative master agreement

School district leaders and teachers called in a mediator after the two sides were unable to reach an agreement before the fiscal year turned over on July 1. Meanwhile, classes resume Sept. 3.

Homeland Security tests school safety

Homeland Security, Idaho State Police, Burley Fire and Cassia County Sheriff’s Office officials responded to a drill involving an enraged adult and a mock chemical spill.

Otter: Cost a ‘limiting factor’ in K-12 reform

For Gov. Butch Otter’s education reform task force, Friday is decision day. The group will meet Friday to hammer out its recommendations.

In Nampa, Sunny Ridge meets Lake Ridge

In Nampa, the first day of school brought together students and staffers from two nearby grade schools — including a school that was closed to reduce the district’s lingering shortfall.

Land Board spars over school payments

Land Board commissioners were expected to set the FY 2015 distribution for public schools on Tuesday, but hit a snag when debating how much to pay out versus how much to increase reserve balances.

Nampa union prevails in furlough dispute

The district’s superintendent had no authority to ask individual teachers to take unpaid furlough days, a judge ruled Friday. However, it’s unclear whether the ruling will add to the Nampa district’s financial woes.

State Board advances cursive rule

Under a new rule, which was carried in the Legislature by Rep. Linden Bateman, cursive handwriting will be taught in elementary schools. Meanwhile, Idahoans will have a chance to weigh in on a proposed physical education requirement.