coronavirus
Our newsroom is determined to provide you with the most recent and relevant information available on how the coronavirus is impacting our schools, communities and state. We will try daily to get updates and answers from state and school leaders.
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Coronavirus trendline, 2.12.21: Case numbers fall to a five-month low
This week’s coronavirus case numbers continued a sharp two-month decline. In another milestone, the state says that 171,604 Idahoans have received at least one dose of a coronavirus vaccine — exceeding the number of Idahoans who have contracted the virus.
Analysis: Idaho lands ahead of the national curve in the school reopening debate
While almost every district or charter in Idaho offers full- or part-time classroom instruction, President Biden has set a modest national benchmark: One day of face-to-face learning weekly. “I think that’s a fantastic goal, outside of Idaho,” State Board of Education President Debbie Critchfield said.
Legislative roundup, 2.11.21: House passes school closure bills
The bills define and limit who has authority to close schools due to infectious disease.
Girls basketball caught in crossfire of crowd-size discussion
State lawmakers are fighting to lift crowd limitations. The Idaho High School Athletics Association does not support the idea, at least for winter sports.
State launches expanded COVID vaccine distribution data
The public can now how vaccines providers are doing administering the shots.
Some schools struggled to graduate seniors during pandemic-forced closures
While Idaho’s overall graduation rate jumped by the highest margin in five years, some seniors went missing or dropped out.
Campus coronavirus roundup, 2.8.21: Sharp decreases at several schools
The week’s numbers are a mixed bag, including a case spike at BYU-Idaho. Lewis-Clark State College and the College of Western Idaho are reporting no active cases.
Coronavirus trendline, 2.5.21: New case numbers continue to plummet
Coronavirus metrics improved across the board, with new weekly case numbers falling to their lowest rate in more than four months.
Legislators launch new effort to repeal limit on crowds and gatherings
A co-sponsor said the resolution is directed at the Idaho High School Activities Association.
Analysis: A new flood of federal money makes a ‘good’ budget year more complicated
Educators are trying to figure out how to spend more than a quarter billion dollars of federal coronavirus stimulus money. The decisions could have long-term implications.