News

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

Little vetoes bill that would continue funding schools based on enrollment

While the state’s default is to divide up K-12 funding based on average daily attendance, the State Board of Education — comprised mostly of Little appointees — has voted to temporarily switch the state over to enrollment-based funding in each of the last two school years to delink school funding from volatile pandemic-era attendance numbers.

Analysis: The library logjam, and a budget debate that has nothing to do with dollars

The debate over $3.5 million in libraries overshadowed a bigger theme: The education budgets were a big win for Gov. Brad Little, and disastrous for the Idaho Freedom Foundation and its Statehouse disciples.

West Ada names new trustee

Trustees in the state’s largest school district chose Lucas Bacaylon from a pool of four finalists during a special meeting Tuesday.

Legislature’s powerful budget committee to have fresh faces in 2023

At a minimum, four of JFAC’s 20 members will be out next year. Depending on election results, 15 could be new.

CSI president appointed to state charter commission

Dean Fisher’s appointment to the seven-member panel is effective until May 2023, when the governor may appoint him to a full four-year term.

Statehouse roundup, 3.25.22: Legislature passes libraries budget, heads closer to adjournment

Earlier Friday, the Senate sent a $46.6 million K-3 literacy funding boost and a $50 million budget for an education grant program to Gov. Brad Little’s desk.

Analysis: Can Branden Durst win the superintendent’s race? It isn’t far-fetched

Branden Durst hopes to win the May 17 GOP state superintendent’s primary by running against all things Sherri Ybarra and Debbie Critchfield. Sometimes, a contrarian candidate wins in a closed Republican primary.

Statehouse roundup, 3.24.22: Idaho House kills library commission budget over ‘obscene materials’

“You think that maybe sending a message doesn’t matter? I guarantee sending a message matters,” Rep. Barbara Ehardt, R-Idaho Falls, said.

Statehouse roundup, 3.23.22: All-day kindergarten bill heads to Little’s desk

It was a busy Wednesday morning in the Senate. Several K-12 budget bills passed easily. A bill designed to get medical school graduates to return to Idaho passed by the narrowest of margins.