IDAHO
Statehouse roundup, 1.18.22: Deadlocked committee kills parental freedom bill
Co-authored by Republican state superintendent’s candidate Branden Durst, the Idaho Parental Freedom in Education Act said parental rights “are not granted by the government, but are divinely given.”
$600 million income tax proposal heads to the Idaho House floor
What would be the largest tax cut in Idaho history provides tax rebates and reduces income rates.
Two East Idaho districts to float a combined $105 million in bond issues
Both growing districts are planning to ask voters in March to pay for new schools and other upgrades.
Statehouse roundup, 1.17.22: School staff health insurance bill emerges
The proposal would accomplish two things on Gov. Brad Little’s education to-do list: setting aside funding for school districts to join the state insurance plan, and phasing out a “leadership premium” program.
Ybarra makes her budget pitch — and discusses pandemic learning loss
Legislative budget-writers spent two hours on the state superintendent’s K-12 budget request. Election-year politics — and a record-setting $1.9 billion surplus — will complicate their job.
Sherri Ybarra’s budget hearing: a listener’s guide
The state superintendent will be before the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee Monday morning.
Idaho Falls planning for full-day kindergarten
The districts believes a districtwide program would improve reading scores. Trustees will vote on a measure Jan. 25.
State Board approves dozens of trustee re-zoning proposals
The decision came during a special meeting Thursday, and gave 108 school the go-ahead to redraw local trustee zones.
Analysis: The omicron legislative session could get worse before it gets better
On Wednesday, two lawmakers reported testing positive for coronavirus. “At this point, I see no reason to stop our process,” House Speaker Scott Bedke said Thursday.
Statehouse roundup, 1.13.22: Academic standards, trustee recall proposals resurface
One lawmaker looks to force the hand of the State Board of Education in adopting rewritten school standards. Two others try to reconfigure the procedures that follow trustee recalls.