IDAHO

An alternative budget blueprint for K-12

The state has ample money to boost teacher pay and reverse K-12 cuts from the Great Recession, a retired state economists and a quartet of education advocates said Monday.

Will school districts keep budget flexibility?

Districts have some say over how many teachers they hire — and the on-the-ground results vary widely,

Paper: Reported bias leads to resignation

A Thursday article in the Twin Falls Times-News details a lawsuit, investigation and the Jan. 14 resignation of a principal in Gooding. Superintendent Heather Williams resigned on Jan. 16, but says the turmoil is unrelated to her decision.

How yellow is this yellow school bus?

It’s “national school bus glossy yellow, federal standard 595a, color number 13432.” But this federal language doesn’t appear in Idaho code. Not yet, anyway.

In Pocatello, a Facebook about-face

Laraine Cook was fired in October over a photo posted on her Facebook page. On Tuesday night, the School Board voted unanimously to offer Cook her job back.

JFAC takes step on employee raises

On Friday, budget-writers didn’t discuss a related topic: boosting teacher pay. Gov. Butch Otter recommends a pay freeze for state employees and teachers.

Second newcomer joins House Ed

Newly appointed Rep. Patrick McDonald joins the education committee, taking the place of Rep. Cindy Agidius.

Senate panel sidelines P.E. rule, again

Also on hold: language that would ramp up college requirements for sixth- through 12th-grade English teachers.

New House member jumps right in

Rep. Ilana Rubel, D-Boise, is a newcomer to the Statehouse but she’s not new to politics. The Harvard Law School grad and mother of four has been preparing for this job all her life.