News

A new — and virtually identical — public schools budget will be up for a vote Thursday morning.

The House signed off on Senate amendments to two charter schools bills — sending both to Gov. Butch Otter’s desk.

In order to adjourn, possibly by Thursday, legislative budget writers must still draft and pass a 2013-14 public school budget.

An Idaho School Boards Assocation-supported bill would allow school districts to cut teacher pay or reduce contract days. It now heads to the House floor.

The Idaho Legislature is now on record demanding a transfer of federal lands to the states — as a way of boosting the endowment for public schools.

House and Senate members met late Monday, seeking to reach an public school budget agreement that could end the 2013 legislative session this week.

Attorneys representing dozens of Idaho school districts want a judge to toss out a lawsuit that says school student fees violate the state’s Constitution. A judge took the appeal under advisement.

Janet Orndorff — a former teacher and longtime volunteer for Boise schools — had served on the district’s board since 1990.

The “interim committee” received final approval on the Senate floor Monday — and the group’s work scope is more far-reaching than Gov. Butch Otter’s education task force.