‘Out of control’: Lakeland community, former superintendents ask trustees to resign An open letter signed by 84 patrons and former employees criticized the board’s recent decision to place outgoing Superintendent Rusty Taylor on leave and pay to complete his contract.

“Students, staff and patrons do not deserve the ridicule the Lakeland community is now enduring at the hands of the Board’s ineptitude," an open letter signed by 84 patrons, including three former superintendents, reads.
www.idahoednews.org/top-news/out...

Classrooms vs. extracurriculars: GOP leaders draw a line on political neutrality in schools If you squint, you can see it. The governor and state superintendent this week defended a proclamation encouraging students to join a conservative, student-led political club.

Aides for Little and Critchfield defended the Republicans after they caught flak for promoting “Club America,” Turning Point USA’s campaign to equip and educate conservative activists in high schools.
www.idahoednews.org/top-news/cla...

Idaho governor, state superintendent promote conservative group in high schools • Idaho Capital Sun Idaho Gov. Brad Little and superintendent Debbie Critchfield promoted a conservative group in schools, a spin off of Charlie Kirk's group.

Spokespeople for Gov. Brad Little and state superintendent Debbie Critchfield say there’s a difference between promoting political ideologies in the classroom and promoting “extracurricular” and “student-led” political activities outside the classroom. #idpol

The latest in the Lakeland saga:

Lakeland redacts, withholds and delays release of public records following abrupt leadership ouster The North Idaho district has plowed through four superintendents in four years with little explanation.

The district is now attempting to charge more than $1,000 for records that could shed light on the departure.
www.idahoednews.org/top-news/lak...

Shinn leaves Boise State for Montana president’s job Jeremiah Shinn has been interim Boise State president since May — during a laborious State Board of Education search for a permanent leader at Idaho’s largest four-year university.

Jeremiah Shinn has been interim Boise State president since May — during a laborious State Board of Education search for a permanent leader at Idaho’s largest four-year university. #idaho www.idahoednews.org/top-news/shi...

District 1: ‘Mainstream’ senator, conservative former lawmaker gear up for fourth matchup Sen. Jim Woodward is seeking his fourth term in the Senate. Scott Herndon hopes to return to the chamber after losing to Woodward in the primary two years ago.

Woodward, R-Sagle, is seeking his fourth term in the Senate. Herndon hopes to return to the chamber after losing to Woodward in the primary two years ago.
www.idahoednews.org/elections/di...

Alica Holthaus tapped to serve as deputy superintendent for North Idaho When one school comes up with a great solution, Holthaus hopes to be the messenger and connector, spreading the idea to other leaders.

After decades as an educator across Idaho, Alica Holthaus will now help school district leaders in the northernmost part of the state solve their problems.
www.idahoednews.org/news/alica-h... #idedu #education #northidaho

The waiting game: Teachers’ union bill now sits on Little’s desk Gov. Brad Little has until April 14 to act on a bill banning taxpayer support of teachers’ union activities. His word figures to be the last word.

Gov. Brad Little has until April 14 to act on a bill banning taxpayer support of teachers’ union activities. His word figures to be the last word. #idleg #idaho www.idahoednews.org/top-news/the...

Statehouse roundup, 4.1.26: IDLA, virtual school budget cuts clear Senate In other news, an eleventh-hour bill restricting teachers’ union activities cleared the Senate — after tense debate and over bipartisan opposition.

In other (almost) end-of-session news, an eleventh-hour bill restricting teachers’ union activities cleared the Senate — after tense debate and over bipartisan opposition. #idleg #idaho www.idahoednews.org/legislative-...

Statehouse roundup, 3.31.26: Private school tax credit followup bill heads to Little The House approved about $229 million in cash transfers, as a possible cushion if state revenues don’t rebound in the coming months.

Today is the last legislative day in March. Get caught up here, and stay current throughout the day. #idleg #idaho www.idahoednews.org/legislative-...

School districts to ask voters for $181 million on May ballots Inside: See what your district has on the ballot.

Lots more in the story! See if your district has a request on the ballot in May.
www.idahoednews.org/top-news/sch... #schoolbonds #schoollevy #k12 #idaho

‘We would never recover:’ Kellogg schools face high-stakes levy redo Local leaders say art, PE, Marine ROTC programs and 70 jobs are on the line as they prepare to run the measure again in May.

It's take two in Kellogg. Trustees are re-running a supplemental levy after a November failure.
www.idahoednews.org/news/we-woul...

Bonneville weighs staff cuts, upping levy request amid stagnant K-12 funding outlook Leaders could slash up to 15 certified positions and 25 classified positions in an effort to save around $2.5 million.

Bonneville upped their levy request this fall, pointing to state funding issues.
www.idahoednews.org/news/bonnevi...

Lakeland to float plant facilities levy in May Trustees voted Wednesday to put a five-year, $15 million measure on the ballot.

In Lakeland, a plant facility levy would pay for routine maintenance and updates.
www.idahoednews.org/news/lakelan...

Kimberly considering $57.8 million bond for fine arts center, field house Trustees on Thursday night agreed to schedule a special meeting on March 3 to vote on resolutions to put the measure on the May 19 ballot.

More details on specific school district asks.

In Kimberly, a proposed bond would pay for a performing arts center and athletic facilities.
www.idahoednews.org/ballot-beat/...

School districts to ask voters for $181 million on May ballots Inside: See what your district has on the ballot.

Here's our overview of all the school district levy & bond asks on May ballots.

www.idahoednews.org/top-news/sch... #IDpol #idaho #IDedu

School districts to ask voters for $181 million on May ballots Inside: See what your district has on the ballot.

The asks range from a $57 million bond in Kimberly to build a performing arts center to a $200,000 supplemental levy in Mackay to pay for athletics and building utilities over the course of two years.

www.idahoednews.org/top-news/sch... #IDpol #idaho

UPDATE: Board Chair Michelle Thompson said it was a “accumulation of events” that led to the decision, which was made after Taylor’s annual employee review.

He was not under investigation for any specific incident.

A Republican homeschooling mom came to love her public schools. Now she’s fighting other conservatives she thinks will destroy them In North Idaho, a local mom’s efforts to wrest school board control from MAGA conservatives ended in disappointment on Election Day. How it happened carries a message about political power

Read about the battle between traditional conservatives and MAGA Republicans in the district, in our story from late last year here:

www.idahoednews.org/top-news/a-r...

Lakeland trustees place superintendent on administrative leave Lakeland trustees placed Superintendent Rusty Taylor on administrative leave Monday but did not say why, according to an email sent to community members Tuesday morning. Taylor was hired in June af…

The latest in the Lakeland saga- Trustees place the superintendent on administrative leave.

The district will have to pay out his $156,000 salary through 2027.
www.idahoednews.org/news/lakelan...

Statehouse roundup, 3.19.26: Senate approves higher education budget cuts, sends them to governor Also Thursday, the House Education Committee punted a decision on budget cuts for the Idaho Digital Learning Alliance, potentially opening the door for the budget-setting committee to implement the…

ICYMI: Thursday was a busy day for education news at the Statehouse.

Catch up here:
www.idahoednews.org/legislative-...

‘It’s just in your blood:’ Mother-daughter duo teach at Garwood Elementary Students pass Mrs. DeVore’s noisy kindergarten room — then, a few doors down, do a double take. It’s Ms. DeVore’s room again.

At Rathdrum's Garwood Elementary Keely DeVore is tackling her first full year as teacher, and it's tough.

But she has a bit more support than the average 23-year-old newbie.

Her mom is right down the hall, teaching too.
www.idahoednews.org/north-idaho/... #teacherfeature #idaho #kindergarten

Statehouse roundup, 3.17.26: Little signs off on lawmakers’ plan for deeper spending cuts In other Statehouse news from Tuesday, a new bill would cut Idaho Digital Learning Academy funds roughly in half.

In other Statehouse news from Tuesday, a new bill would cut Idaho Digital Learning Academy funds roughly in half. #idleg #idaho www.idahoednews.org/legislative-...

Statehouse roundup, 3.16.26: House approves spending cuts for higher ed In other Monday news, the House passed a bill that would make violations of Idaho’s bathroom law a criminal offense.

In other Monday news, the House passed a bill that would make violations of the state's bathroom law a criminal offense. #idaho #idleg www.idahoednews.org/top-news/sta...

West Ada, Lakeland and charters stand out in new statewide school rankings Idaho’s largest district takes top spots while North Idaho district makes biggest gains. Find out where your school ranks.

Find out how your school stacks up:
www.idahoednews.org/top-news/wes...
#idedu #schoolrankings #idaho

Statehouse roundup, 3.12.26: Committee introduces bill to give schools spending flexibility Also Thursday, two bills amending the state’s ‘harmful material’ library law advanced to the House.

The 60th day of the legislative session was a busy one for education news.

Read our coverage:

www.idahoednews.org/news/stateho...

Alternative charter schools get new performance evaluation metrics After a five-year process, educators used the new framework for the first time this year.

Many students at Idaho’s alternative charter schools are raising children, working full time or catching up after falling behind — making success hard to measure with traditional metrics.
www.idahoednews.org/news/alterna... #charterschools #idaho

Statehouse roundup, 3.11.26: House blocks Democratic report criticizing bill on transgender students In other news, the Senate endorsed the latest push to revamp Idaho’s 1994 school funding formula.

House Minority Leader Ilana Rubel called the move an “abuse of supermajority power.” www.idahoednews.org/legislative-...

What a relief! NIC community celebrates end of accreditation woes The college is back on track, but did the community learn a lesson?

NIC has returned to good standing with its accreditor.

As the college president put it- they've but the bored back in board meetings.

But who will run for trustee later this year?
Trustees and employees alike fear future strife.
www.idahoednews.org/top-news/wha... #Idaho #IDpol #communitycollege