Top News
Superintendent candidates verbally battle for GOP nomination
Ybarra flexed her seven years in office, Critchfield struck at Ybarra’s lack of leadership, and Durst, again, portrayed himself as an outsider in the field.
West Ada board chair steps down; district hires Gov. Little’s former education aide
Rusty Coffelt said “family matters” will take him out of state. In unrelated news, the governor’s former point person moves back into education.
May 9 update: Critchfield continues fundraising dominance in state superintendent’s race
The candidate and former State Board of Education President had surpassed $300,000 as of May 9.
Analysis: Reclaim Idaho’s referendum on K-12 comes closer to fruition
It’s not official, but Idaho appears headed to a high-stakes statewide debate about taxes and education funding. Like a debate over a local bond issue or school levy, only bigger.
Tuition freeze continues — but gets a chilly response from one student leader
The State Board of Education made good on its plans to freeze undergraduate, in-state tuition for a third straight year. But Boise State University’s student body president says the freeze sets up future students for a big increase down the road.
Boise, West Ada gauge interest in half-day kindergarten
As the state’s two largest districts plan to expand all-day kindergarten, they also want to hear from parents who prefer a half-day option.
Analysis: Elections have consequences, and NIC is facing them
A fractured and feuding group of elected trustees has left North Idaho College in crisis — which could affect accreditation, enrollment and charitable donations. Now, the State Board of Education will reshape the board.
A polarizing presence, at the center of NIC’s dysfunction
Board chairman Todd Banducci led the charge to fire North Idaho College’s president, and promote its wrestling coach as an interim successor. In a January 2021 email, Banducci railed about a liberal “deep state” at NIC.
School districts brace for new learning standards
The 2022 Legislature finally approved revisions to the state’s framework for learning — and put districts up against the clock to make changes ahead of next school year.
Analysis: Schools move quickly, but not easily, into all-day kindergarten
Three of Idaho’s largest districts are jumping into tuition-free, all-day kindergarten — a move that poses some serious logistical challenges.