Idaho Education NotecardMay 4, 2018
This week’s education and political headlines:
New Plymouth buyout. The severance package for embattled New Plymouth schools superintendent Kevin Barker was sweetened — considerably — by a $400,000 payment from a private donor. The district has declined to name the donor, but bank statements link the payment to Scott Moscrip, a prominent local businessman. Barker will also receive $36,000 in consulting fees, and could receive insurance benefits through June 2020. More HERE.
The state superintendent’s debate. Incumbent state superintendent Sherri Ybarra and Republican challenger Jeff Dillon squared off on statewide television last Friday — and both candidates scored points during a spirited exchange. Dillon criticized Ybarra for talking up an infinitesimal improvement in high school graduation rates, and questioned Ybarra’s engagement at the Statehouse. Ybarra forced Dillon to answer tough questions about the grad rates in his own Wilder School District, and chastised him for leaving federal school improvement dollars on the table. More HERE.
A closer look at the candidates. With the May 15 elections looming, Idaho Education News’ Clark Corbin sat down with the four candidates for superintendent of public instruction. Read his in-depth profiles of Ybarra (HERE), Dillon (HERE), Democrat Allen Humble (HERE) and Democrat Cindy Wilson (HERE).
Reading test on its way. Idaho’s reading test was a big sticking point at the end of the 2018 legislative session, but a new statewide test is on the way for 2018-19. The state and Dallas-based vendor Istation agreed on a contract extension to roll out the test in every K-3 classroom. Proponents say the new test will provide teachers with richer data — which they can use to help young at-risk readers. More HERE.
‘Red tape committee’ goes public. Ybarra has assembled a “red tape committee,” a group of 17 school administrators that is looking for ways to cut school paperwork requirements. The committee is looking at paperwork that ties directly to school accountability — such as teacher evaluations, literacy plans, charter school performance reports and school continuous improvement plans — but has been meeting behind closed doors. On Tuesday, the committee agreed to open its meetings to the media. More HERE.
Kevin Richert is a reporter and blogger with Idaho Education News (idahoednews.org.) Idaho Education News is an independent news site focused on education policy and politics, funded by the J.A. and Kathryn Albertson Family Foundation. Richert has worked in the Idaho news media since 1985, as a reporter, editor and columnist.
