IDAHO

The money trail between independent groups and political parties

Under state law, independent political groups operate separately from political parties and campaigns. But financial reports shine a light on the influence and reach of these groups.

Blaine County administrators form their own union, a first of its kind

They unionized with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters to negotiate contracts with trustees. The Teamsters reached out to Nampa administrators in another attempt to unionize.

Ybarra to consider trustees’ funding request for rural schools center

In order to receive the ISBA endorsement, Ybarra would need to pay for the $300,000 rural schools center from her office’s budget, not the overall public school budget.

Ybarra’s office misses deadline for submitting compliance plan to State Board

SDE officials say the new timeline won’t affect a March deadline to submit the compliance plan to the federal government.

Reform group praises a piece of Idaho’s accountability plan

Idaho’s proposal contains three components to protect the needs of high-achieving high school students, the Thomas H. Fordham Institute said in a report issued Tuesday.

Trump’s K-12 plans could hit turbulence in Congress

The president-elect could have a tough time passing a $20 billion school choice initiative. And he may be powerless to repeal the Common Core standards.

Trustees back Ybarra’s rural school center — on one condition

ISBA members said they will only support the rural center if it is paid for out of the budget for Ybarra’s State Department of Education — not the public schools budget.

Ybarra says she serves to support, not police

Ultimately, Ybarra, the seven appointed members of the State Board of Education, Gov. Butch Otter and the Legislature all have some responsibility for public schools and student achievement.