Emma Epperly

1 month ago | idahoednews.org | Emma Epperly

Just two of the 24 levies on Idaho ballots failed on Tuesday: Valley and Marsh Valley. For the two small districts, the failures have strikingly different consequences. In Marsh Valley, the levy signifies an end to the years-long debate of whether or not to reduce the district’s footprint. In Valley, there’s another shot to rerun the measure, before the district will have to cut staff. The failures encompass just under $4 million of the nearly $75 million voters considered in supplemental levies.

1 month ago | idahoednews.org | Emma Epperly

Idaho’s largest school district geographically will split into two smaller districts after residents of Grangeville, Kooskia and Elk City approved the deconsolidation Tuesday. The current district stretches from Oregon to Montana, with the schools forming a triangle with Grangeville on one side and Kooskia on the other with Elk City in the middle to the south. The district will now split into two new districts: Clearwater Valley and Grangeville.

1 month ago | idahoednews.org | Emma Epperly

Twenty-five school districts across Idaho asked voters for nearly $75 million in supplemental levies on their ballots Tuesday. The supplemental levy asks range from $45,000 over two years in the Three Creek Elementary School District, up to just over $15 million in Rathdrum’s Lakeland School District. Lakeland trustees reduced their levy ask by $2 million from their failed levy in November. Even if the levy passes the district will lose 25 staff members.

1 month ago | idahoednews.org | Emma Epperly

All but two school levies passed Tuesday evening with nearly $75 million on the ballot across 24 Idaho school districts. The supplemental levy asks ranged from a $175,000 one-year levy in Cottonwood School District, up to just over $15 million in Rathdrum’s Lakeland School District. After a failure in November, Lakeland trustees cut $2 million off their levy ask. The reduction worked with 67% voting in support of the levy.

1 month ago | idahoednews.org | Emma Epperly

The Idaho Charter School Association launched Friday with the announcement that Nanette Merrill, founding principal of Gem Prep Meridian North, will serve as its executive director. The association seeks to connect charter school leaders, provide training and advocate on behalf of charters in statewide conversations. ICSA seeks to fill a gap in Idaho, Merrill said. Most states with charter schools have an association where member schools come together for peer support and advocacy.