News
The latest and breaking news and investigative reports about Idaho public education.
$33.9 million: Will task force get funding?
Gov. Butch Otter and state schools superintendent Tom Luna want to give considerable budget power to Otter’s education task force. How will lawmakers respond?
2014 budget: Luna seeks 3 percent increase
Superintendent Tom Luna proposes an increase in overall education funding, an increase in teacher pay and he recommends funding the ideas produced by the governor’s education task force.
2013 budget: Put money back into education
Schools chief Tom Luna says money left in limbo because of Students Come First repeal must return to funding schools.
Governor’s task force resumes work Friday
The governor’s Education Task Force meets for the second time on Friday. The day’s agenda includes presentation from local and national experts on best practices. The members then break into work groups.
U of I seeks to expand Boise law school
It may sound like a lawyer-joke punchline, but it’s not. The University of Idaho says the state isn’t producing enough lawyers — imposing a “hidden tax” on Idahoans who need legal help.
Amid growth, CWI pushes for state funding
The College of Western Idaho’s enrollment has skyrocketed since its January 2009 opening — and the college’s president has a laundry list of requests.
Education could benefit from federal land
Utah law could be a model for Idaho if Idaho lawmakers decides to join the battle against the federal government to acquire land for state control and profit.
Education briefs from around the rotunda
Education committees will hold a joint session to listen to public testimony. Each speaker will have three minutes. The House Ed Committee will consider a bill that protects cursive handwriting. In other news, students enjoyed MLK Day events Monday at the Statehouse.
Kustra asks lawmakers for equity in funding
Boise State University president Bob Kustra made his budget request to lawmakers on Monday. Idaho State University president Arthur Vailas asked lawmakers to fund five additional Idaho seats at the University of Washington’s medical school. More education budget hearings continue this week.
Education week concludes today
Idaho budget writers will spend this week hearing budget requests for public schools and higher education. Gov. Butch Otter has already asked lawmakers to increase public school spending next year. The budget request hearing for K-12 public schools is Thursday.