Top News
Statehouse roundup, 2.14.19: Charter administrators bill heads to Senate floor
In other news, a Nampa student gets a hearing on a bill to give high-achieving students a more flexible high school schedule.
Idaho’s ‘go-on rate’ shows no improvement
Fewer than 45 percent of the state’s high school graduates went straight to college last fall. Despite a multimillion-dollar campaign to encourage students to continue their education, this number has remained stagnant.
AG outlines renewal conditions for embattled charter school
The state is recommending changes to the school’s financial practices, training for trustees and improved academic achievement.
Education groups express concerns with proposed school funding formula
More than 120 people — including school superintendents and other administrators, trustees, educators, parents and taxpayers — filled the Statehouse’s largest hearing room.
Former executive accuses IEA president of improper behavior
Three months after leaving the union, former executive director Sue Wigdorski sent a scathing letter to the IEA’s board of directors. The IEA says the complaints against President Kari Overall are “unfounded and without merit.”
Legislature unveils draft of funding formula bill
The proposal to change Idaho’s K-12 school funding formula is expected to be the biggest education debate of the year.
Charter commission to visit two schools under investigation
The state agency plans to interview trustees and review financial records at Bingham Academy and Blackfoot Charter Community Learning Center.
Utah college has no record it sold modulars to Idaho charter school administrator
Fred Ball says he purchased modulars from Salt Lake Community College. He has not produced a bill of sale, yet his school paid him $16,000 for their purchase.
Ybarra requests 8 percent increase for education budget built around teacher raises
The superintendent’s requests are significantly different than Gov. Brad Little’s requests for education funding.
Ybarra faces an uphill fight on mastery education
The superintendent wants more money for mastery education, and she wants to get rid of a cap on pilot programs. That could be a long-shot battle for Ybarra, who has had limited success getting her agenda through the Statehouse.