IDAHO

Idaho to ramp up to legislative session this week

Decisions made during the new year will help shape Idaho government, policies and politics for years to come.

Ybarra to teach kindergarten after departure from SDE

For over two decades before she took office in 2015, the state superintendent taught third grade in Mountain Home and served as an administrator and federal programs director in the district.

Average teacher salary increases, but is still behind inflation and national averages

Teachers in Idaho still make less than peers in other fields who have the same level of education. 

The dean of the Idaho press corps signs off 

Longtime Idaho political journalist Betsy Russell to retire Jan. 1.

Idaho’s Republican primary is already closed — but the party may close it off even more

New rule would bar voters if they’ve been active with other parties in past two years.

LEAs dish out nearly $100 million to fill gap in state funding for classified staff

Districts and charters pay the added costs with discretionary funds or funding sources like supplemental levies, “potentially taking away money that could be spent elsewhere,” the Office of Performance Evaluations report states.

Rural teacher incentive program receives 764 applications

83% of applicants request repayment of educational loan while 17% request reimbursement of educational expense.

Analysis: The ‘v-word’ that dominates Idaho’s school choice debate

Critics use vouchers as a convenient catchall description for all school choice programs. School choice proponents say that’s misleading. Neither side is entirely wrong.

This year, taxpayers will shell out a record $596.1 million for education bonds and levies

Taxpayers will give $217.4 million — a slight decrease — via supplemental levies to local schools this fiscal year 

Poll reveals mixed ratings for Idaho education, lack of knowledge on school choice

A panel of legislators agreed that expanding schooling options for families will be a priority in the 2023 session.