News

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

Ybarra deputy takes principal job

Also inside: A summer institute for teachers. And athletes across Idaho garner praise for outstanding academics.

Missing support: Students, psychologists say existing mental health resources aren’t enough

Students across the country share familiar concerns, explaining that the COVID-19 pandemic has been a time of isolation, loss of structure, and added mental health burdens. But it was also a time of personal growth, some said.

A ‘crisis:’ A grim State Board looks at the looming teacher shortage

Linda Clark — a State Board member and career K-12 educator — said the unprecedented shortage will hit rural schools the hardest. “I wish we could just say this morning, ‘Here’s the solution,’ …. We really have to put our thinking caps on here.”

West Ada trustees OK’d a 20% raise for superintendent

Trustees approved a new contract for Derek Bub on April 11, board minutes show. But the approval followed no discussion and was included in the meeting’s consent agenda, which trustees typically use to OK a cluster of non-controversial items through a single vote.

Boise trustees extend superintendent’s contract

Coby Dennis will also receive a 4.5% annual raise, keeping him among Idaho’s highest paid K-12 administrators.

Analysis: As a nervous summer begins, schools scramble to fill job vacancies

Idaho schools have at least 700 teacher vacancies — and a scarcity of qualified applicants. Said one administrator, “The crisis that we have been talking about for the last 10 years is here.”

Eligibility for subsidized school meals fell by almost half in Idaho since 2015

An improving economy and nixed paperwork requirements played a big part, but that doesn’t mean actual need for free and reduced-price meals for those living in poverty has diminished by that much.

School safety board reviews policy on reuniting kids, parents in crisis

Many of the points outlined at Tuesday’s meeting stemmed from lessons learned at the last school shooting in Idaho when last year a 13-year-old female student shot and injured three people at Rigby Middle School.