IDAHO
K-12’s stake in the tax debate of the year
Gov. Butch Otter wants to repeal the personal property tax, an unpopular tax levied on business equipment and supplies. Some key legislators and lobbyists are on board. For K-12, an estimated $38.6 million is on the line.
Study: Idaho charter law trails other states
Idaho’s charter school growth is lagging — and according to a new study, that may reflect weakenesses in the state’s 15-year-old charter law.
House prints three more bills with SCF elements
The House Education Committee voted to introduce three more collective bargaining and labor bills presented by the Idaho School Boards Association.
ISBA collective bargaining bills introduced
Senate Education Committee Chairman John Goedde calls the bills a “toned-down” rewrite of Students Come First’s collective bargaining language. Sen. Branden Durst, D-Boise, called it “Luna laws (version) 2.0.”
Best practices presented to task force
The Education Task Force spent the morning listening to local and national experts talk about what works in education. The task force then spent the afternoon in five working groups, brainstorming ideas for improving student achievement.
Bill returns money to districts
Bill sponsor Rep. Reed DeMordaunt says without action, schools face a $30.6 million penalty following repeal.
$33.9 million: Will task force get funding?
Gov. Butch Otter and state schools superintendent Tom Luna want to give considerable budget power to Otter’s education task force. How will lawmakers respond?
2014 budget: Luna seeks 3 percent increase
Superintendent Tom Luna proposes an increase in overall education funding, an increase in teacher pay and he recommends funding the ideas produced by the governor’s education task force.
2013 budget: Put money back into education
Schools chief Tom Luna says money left in limbo because of Students Come First repeal must return to funding schools.
Governor’s task force resumes work Friday
The governor’s Education Task Force meets for the second time on Friday. The day’s agenda includes presentation from local and national experts on best practices. The members then break into work groups.