Education

What’s Next For Nampa Schools After Superintendent Resigns, Teacher Postions Cut

Adam Cotterell — Wed, 15 May 2013 22:22:14 +0000

The Nampa School District voted Tuesday night to eliminate 27 teaching positions next fall. That’s the latest cost cutting measure to overcome a more than $5 million deficit blamed on accounting errors.

But the state’s third largest school district has a way to go before it reaches a balanced budget next year. Adam Cotterell covers education and has covered Tuesday's meeting. He talks with Samantha Wright about what’s next for Nampa schools.

Transcript

Wright: Adam I understand it was no ordinary school board meeting.

Nampa Cuts 27 Teaching Positions, Takes 18 More Off The Chopping Block

Adam Cotterell — Wed, 15 May 2013 10:56:35 +0000

The Nampa School Board voted Tuesday night to leave 27 teaching jobs unfilled next fall (15 secondary and 12 elementary.) The jobs are opening due to retirements and resignations. It’s the latest step in a year-long effort to overcome a $5.1 million budget deficit blamed on accounting errors. The cuts will result in larger class sizes. In fourth grade for example, average class sizes will increase from 26 students to 32 students.

Nampa School District Could Cut 50 Teachers

Adam Cotterell — Mon, 13 May 2013 23:02:51 +0000

The Nampa School Board meets Tuesday to discuss the next steps in overcoming a $5.1 million budget deficit.

Most Idaho National Merit Scholars Go To School In Boise Or Eagle

Adam Cotterell — Sat, 11 May 2013 00:25:56 +0000

Thirteen Idaho high school seniors have won the prestigious National Merit Scholarship for 2013. It comes with $2,500 for college and a lot of bragging rights. Most of this year’s winners could get together on their lunch break.

Two Idaho Students Named Presidential Scholars

Adam Cotterell — Fri, 10 May 2013 15:17:24 +0000

This week the U.S. Department of Education released its annual list of Presidential Scholars. The award honors the highest achieving high school seniors in each state. Idaho’s 2013 Presidential Scholars are Josephine Minick of Centennial High School and Joseph Regan Bell of Boise’s Riverstone International School.

Seven Idaho Schools Make Newsweek’s List Of 2013’s Best High Schools

Adam Cotterell — Thu, 09 May 2013 14:43:14 +0000

The media team of Newsweek and the Daily Beast has released its annual list of the nation’s best high schools. Seven Idaho schools made this year’s top 2,000 list. Coeur d’Alene Charter Academy is ranked 89, the only Idaho school to crack the top 100.

Nampa School Budget Hole Gets Deeper, Again

Adam Cotterell — Wed, 08 May 2013 15:05:24 +0000

The Nampa School District’s financial hole keeps getting deeper. The most recent figure for the budget deficit in Idaho’s third largest district was a little more than $5 million. But at a school board meeting Tuesday night district officials revealed they also owe another $1.2 million in building bonds. The money had been used for general operations instead of being paid back on time.

Rapidly Changing Idaho Laws Make Teacher Contract Negotiations Confusing

Adam Cotterell — Mon, 06 May 2013 15:04:46 +0000

Each year the state of Idaho sends school districts about $900 million for teacher salaries and benefits. This is the time of year when decisions are made on how to spend that. Many Idaho school districts are in contract negotiations with teachers unions now. But those negotiations are complicated by changes to the laws.

Gonzaga University Gives Club Status To Knights Of Columbus

Jessica Robinson — Wed, 01 May 2013 16:49:57 +0000

The president of Gonzaga University has reversed an earlier decision and now says a campus chapter of the Knights of Columbus can receive official club status. The Catholic university in Spokane first denied that recognition because the Knights do not admit women or non-Catholics.

President Thayne McCulloh's decision allows the Knights of Columbus council to use the university's name in its title, use school facilities and fundraise on campus. Official club status also makes the group eligible for money from the university and student fees.

Idaho State Professor Turns To Drones In Quest For Sasquatch

Jessica Robinson — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 14:05:54 +0000

An Idaho anthropologist has risked his career in pursuit of what the rest of science considers a myth. Jeff Meldrum of Idaho State University is the nation’s lone academic trying to make the scientific case for Bigfoot. It’s no joke. Now he's even raising money to launch an unmanned aircraft that would scan the Northwest's forests for the large, hairy creature. Meldrum now hopes drones can finally prove his critics wrong.

Jeff Meldrum gets frustrated when he walks into Barnes and Noble. It's one of the stores that carries his book.

Teachers Among Top 5 Groups Leaving Idaho

Adam Cotterell — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 03:39:06 +0000

More teachers are leaving Idaho than people in other professions. That’s according to a report released earlier this month by the Idaho Department of Labor.

Of people who left Idaho between 2008 and 2011, 3 percent where K-12 teachers and 4 percent were college or university instructors. Both are among the top five groups of professionals leaving the state, with K-12 teachers at number four and college instructors number three.

Group Releases Report Card For Treasure Valley Education

Adam Cotterell — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 15:41:53 +0000

The Treasure Valley Education Partnership this week released what it calls a baseline report card. The coalition of schools, businesses and nonprofits wants to “advance a world class education system” for the area’s children. Jake Alger with the United Way says before the group launched any projects it wanted to know what it was up against.

Public Tells Idaho Ed Task Force To Increase Funding, Get Idaho Out Of Common Core

Adam Cotterell — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 14:35:44 +0000

Idaho’s Education Improvement Task Force finished a statewide listening tour Thursday night in Boise. The group was created to recommend ways to improve the state’s schools after voters repealed an education overhaul last November.

Thursday night’s public meeting was well attended compared to some past meetings. About 200 people squeezed into the state capital building’s Lincoln Auditorium and 37 spoke. It lasted more than two and a half hours.

Idaho’s Education Improvement Task Force Set To Wrap Up Listening Tour

Adam Cotterell — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 22:30:00 +0000

Idaho’s Task Force for Improving Education wraps up a series of public meetings Thursday in Boise. The task force’s final public listening meeting will start at 6:30 p.m. at the state capital.

It has been traveling Idaho for two weeks. The group’s goal is to put together recommendations for overhauling the state’s education system that can find broad support.

Tuition Increases Approved For Idaho Universities

Associated Press — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 22:45:43 +0000

Idaho public university students can expect a higher price tag on their tuition bills next fall.

The state Board of Education voted Wednesday to hike tuition at all four public universities — though not all university presidents got exactly what they requested.

Budget Crisis Strains Relationships In Nampa School District

Adam Cotterell — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 07:36:00 +0000

It’s been a tough year in the Nampa School District after a $5.1 million budget shortfall surfaced last August. That has led to deep cuts including a near elimination of money for substitute teachers. Now tension between the district and the teacher’s union is growing.

Mandy Simpson teaches math and coaches golf in Nampa. She's also the president of the Nampa Education Association. She’s been in the district almost ten years.

Boise Police Investigate Apparent Bomb Threat Hoax

Frankie Barnhill — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 23:04:12 +0000

Five schools in southeast Idaho received violent threats this morning, disrupting classes, as police searched the schools. Boise High, Skyview High School in Nampa, Kuna High, and the Twin Falls Christian Academy all were evacuated after bomb threats were called in. Caldwell High School received a threat about a shooter.

Oregon Senate Approves Lifting Ban On Native American Mascots

Virginia AlvinoVirginia Alvino — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 20:25:17 +0000

SALEM, Ore. - Some Oregon public schools may soon be allowed to keep their Native American mascots.

Panel Formed To Find The Next University Of Idaho President

Associated Press — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 19:41:21 +0000

MOSCOW, Idaho (AP) — The Idaho State Board of Education has announced the formation of a 16-member search committee to select a new president for the University of Idaho.

The board announced the selection Wednesday and that University of Idaho Regent Emma Atchley will lead the panel.

The board is tasked with finding a successor to Duane Nellis, who is leaving to become president of Texas Tech University.

All-Clear Given At Boise, Kuna High Schools After Bomb Threats

Emilie Ritter Saunders — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 18:09:20 +0000

Updated 1:00 p.m.: Students at Boise High have been allowed back in after a bomb threat was received earlier this morning. Classes will resume this afternoon after police used bomb sniffing dogs to check student bags.

The all-clear has been given to Kuna High School students, where classes have resumed.