IDAHO
Legislative roundup, 3.5.21: JFAC rejects bill to split higher ed budgets
The Legislature will still need to pass a higher education spending bill — and in 2020, it took three tries to pass a budget over objections from House conservatives.
Analysis: This year’s ISATs could be a federally mandated reality check
This spring, some 165,000 students will take the Idaho Standards Achievement Test. The numbers could be troubling — but they could provide important data on how students are faring, a year into the pandemic.
State Board says teacher bonus review process nearly complete
Barring any last-minute problems, the state should be able to notify master educator premium applicants by the end of next week.
Legislative roundup, 3.4.21: House passes rural teacher hiring bill
The House also moved quickly Thursday to pass a bill to streamline school reporting requirements.
Some students learn responsibility in pandemic-altered year
Parents say their children have had to become more resilient and responsible to be successful in online classes.
Legislative roundup, 3.3.21: Moon’s labor negotiations bill advances
If the bill becomes law, school districts could decide whether or not to negotiate with the local teachers union.
‘We are left with no other option:’ Lawmakers cut into Boise State’s budget
The $409,000 move is designed to cut spending on social-justice initiatives that have left Boise State University’s political standing “in the ditch,” said Sen. Carl Crabtree, R-Grangeville. House conservatives considered the cut inadequate.
Citizen group opposes Bonneville’s proposed levy hikes
The East Idaho district will run two ballot measures totaling more than $51 million on March 9. Some patrons say it’s too much, especially now.
House Republicans kill bill for a $6 million federal preschool grant
The bill died despite a Democrat’s last-minute effort to revive it.
Idaho ratchets up vaccine rollout, once again
The accelerated schedule could be good news for thousands of Idahoans who are biding their time in the vaccination queue — including college and university staff and students.