IDAHO

Nineteen schools apply to participate in mastery program

Schools selected to participate in the program are scheduled to be announced in late April.

Otter rips A.G.’s advice on broadband contract

Gov. Butch Otter says Attorney General Lawrence Wasden’s staff played a role in the decisions leading to the 7-year-old Idaho Education Network legal fiasco.

The 2016 session: What happened? And what didn’t happen?

Ten things you need to know about the legislative session that was. And six potential pieces of unfinished business.

House approves $8 million broadband settlement bill

Debate over the Idaho Education Network was sometimes testy — and came minutes before the final gavel dropped on the 2016 legislative session.

Broadband settlement bill on hold

Statehouse roundup, 3.24.16: As lawmakers work their way toward adjournment, several other last-minute budget bills worked their way through the pipeline.

Otter signs school safety law

New school safety law creates the Office of School Safety and Security.

Ybarra’s rural education proposal dead for session

The Senate Education Committee polished off its work for 2016, passing three other last-minute bills.

Otter signs literacy bills, downplays funding gap

Gov. Butch Otter sought $10.7 million for the literacy initiative — but promised to get results with the $9.1 million in the works.

House passes Ybarra’s rural schools bill

Statehouse roundup, 3.23.16: After a divided House vote, the rural bill faces an uncertain fate in the Senate. The House passes other late-session bills that will get a Senate hearing.