Idaho schools fill with Latino students, not Latino teachers

Idaho’s Latino student population is growing, while the number of Latino or nonwhite teachers remains stagnant.

The Idaho Press-Tribune reported Saturday in the state’s 10 school districts with the highest percentage of Latino students, 90% of teachers are white.

Officials say Latino students are the largest minority group in Idaho public schools, including several schools and a few school districts where there is a Latino student majority.

Officials say the high concentrations of Latino students occur in rural areas across southern Idaho where jobs on farms and dairies have drawn Latinos for generations.

Many of those with the highest percentage of Latino students are elementary schools.

An official in a district with a high Latino population says recruiting and retaining teachers is difficult when other areas offer higher pay.