Idaho Education Notecard December 1
This week’s education news:
Kerby reprimanded. A state panel has reprimanded state Rep. Ryan Kerby over inaccurate teacher evaluations data turned in during Kerby’s time as New Plymouth schools superintendent. New Plymouth sent in inaccurate data in 2015, and Kerby has said that the teachers’ individual scores are none of the state’s business. Kerby, a Republican serving his second term in the Legislature, says the state “cooked up” a claim against him for political reasons. More information HERE.
A second superintendent gets a reprimand. Meanwhile, the state also reprimanded retiring Sugar-Salem school Superintendent Alan Dunn. Like Kerbv, Dunn submitted inaccurate teacher evaluations data to the state. Unlike Kerby, Dunn has not protested the state’s decision. More information HERE.
A higher ed CEO? Seven business executives have urged Gov. Butch Otter to seek a higher education CEO to look for ways to streamline the university system. They believe a CEO could save the state untold millions of dollars, and they peg the first-year cost of a CEO’s office at $2.5 million. More HERE. The idea isn’t uncommon, Boise State University President Bob Kustra said, but he questions how the new office would play out. More information HERE.
Ybarra’s early education plan, explained. In November, state superintendent Sherri Ybarra said she had a plan for free early childhood education in Idaho. On Monday, she fleshed out the details — the plan hinges on an online program that a for-profit vendor has pledged to make available at no charge. An early childhood advocate was skeptical, but Ybarra remains sold; “free is always good.” More information HERE.
Education without walls. Bill Rutherford is a chef, writer, psychotherapist, Air Force veteran and elementary school principal. So it should be no surprise that Rutherford is taking an unusual approach to education, and his Northwest Expedition Academy in Hayden focuses on teaching through real-life experience. “I want to have passionate learners who can’t wait to hear what the next answer is and students who will never stop exploring.” More information 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.
