Top News
Statehouse roundup, 3.7.19: House abruptly kills State Board budget
House conservatives poked holes in the relatively small $6.4 million budget. House Democrats used the vote to register concerns over the push to rewrite the public school funding formula.
Charters gain nearly half of Idaho’s new students
Enrollment grew by more than 5,000 students with 40 percent going to charters; meanwhile, the Boise School District lost hundreds of students.
Across 47 school districts, a $485 million election day approaches
From Boundary County to Fremont County, March 12 will be decision day for school patrons. See what’s on the ballot in your corner of Idaho.
Idaho immunization rates drop — as opt-out numbers surge
Idaho’s immunization opt-out rates are at an all-time high — and that’s “concerning” to the head of the state’s immunization program. And the Legislature is making it easier for parents to opt out.
Sex ed opt-in bill attracts large crowd of opponents
The House Education Committee delayed a vote on the bill until Friday.
Fruitland principal charged with sexual battery, soliciting prostitution
A female employee told police that principal Mike Fitch sexually harassed and propositioned her for sex, on school property.
Idaho’s literacy program: a politically popular work in progress
It is “extremely difficult” to measure the success of the 2-year-old program, Boise State University researchers said in a recent report. Still, Gov. Brad Little wants to double the program’s budget, and lawmakers are poised to sign on.
Statehouse roundup, 2.20.19: Teacher salary bill advances
INSIDE: Vaccination opt-out bill passes — barely — after a tense hearing. And JFAC decides on more education budgets.
State finds ‘financial distress’ at Blackfoot charter schools
A lack of “strong internal controls” of finances has fueled cashflow challenges at the schools, according to an investigation by the Idaho Public Charter School Commission.
Monday’s big K-12 budget hearing: what to watch for
Lawmakers will make decisions that could dictate where the state’s public school dollars go — and set the stage for other spending bills down the road.