Author

Sadie Dittenber

Sadie Dittenber

Idaho Education News reporter Sadie Dittenber focuses on K-12 policy and politics. She is a College of Idaho graduate and was born and raised in the Treasure Valley. You can follow Sadie on Twitter @sadiedittenber and send her news tips at [email protected].

Idaho Attorney General candidate Raúl Labrador

Judge disqualifies attorney general from Idaho State Board of Education lawsuit

By: - August 28, 2023

This story was originally posted on IdahoEdNews.org on Aug. 28, 2023. Idaho Attorney General Raúl Labrador has been disqualified from his open meetings lawsuit against the State Board of Education, according to a Friday ruling from Judge Jason D. Scott. The order came just one day after a court hearing on the board’s motion to […]

door to Attorney General Raul Labrador's office

Judge takes up motion to disqualify AG Labrador from Idaho State Board of Education lawsuit

By: - August 24, 2023

This story was originally posted on IdahoEdNews.org on Aug. 24, 2023. An Ada County judge could act within a week on a motion to disqualify Attorney General Raúl Labrador from suing the Idaho State Board of Education. District Judge Jason Scott took no action after a 45-minute hearing Thursday. The hearing came 10 days after […]

West Bonner school busses

Idaho’s West Bonner School District board strikes Durst repeal, tables contract discussion

By: - June 15, 2023

This story was originally posted on IdahoEdNews.org on June 14, 2023. North Idaho’s West Bonner School District trustees voted Wednesday afternoon to table action on an employment contract for Branden Durst — the board’s controversial pick for district superintendent. In an eight-minute meeting, trustees also struck an agenda item calling for Durst’s appointment to be […]

Karen Echeverria

Idaho Senate rejects Echeverria appointment to charter commission

By: and - March 29, 2023

This story was originally posted on IdahoEdNews.org on March 29, 2023. In another rare move, the Senate has rejected Gov. Brad Little’s choice for the Idaho Public Charter School Commission. In a 24-11 vote Wednesday evening, the Senate voted down Karen Echeverria, a longtime executive director of the Idaho School Boards Association. Little had appointed […]

Idaho Capitol Building

Idaho Statehouse roundup: Tuition credit bill stalls, leaving school choice debate on ice

By: and - March 22, 2023

This story was originally posted on IdahoEdNews.org on March 22, 2023. A bill to provide state-funded private school grants appears dead for the 2023 session. The abrupt move could also bring the Legislature’s protracted debate over school choice to a grinding halt. Senate Bill 1161 — a proposal creating the five-year grant pilot — had […]

The Idaho State Capitol in Boise

After longwinded debate, Idaho Senate kills controversial education savings account bill

By: - February 27, 2023

This story was originally posted on IdahoEdNews.org on Feb. 27, 2023. A divisive education savings account (ESA) bill died in the Idaho Senate on Monday afternoon — in a 12-23 vote that came after over two hours of floor debate. Senate Bill 1038 would have established a universal education savings account program, providing $5,950 scholarships […]

Divisive bill on education savings accounts heads to Idaho Senate floor

By: and - February 15, 2023

Originally posted on IdahoEdNews.org on February 15, 2023 The Senate Education Committee sent a $45 million school choice bill to the Senate floor with a 6-3 vote Wednesday evening. The vote came on day two of public testimony on Senate Bill 1038 — the controversial plan to establish a universal education savings account program. SB […]

Sen. Tammy Nichols, R-Middleton,

Idaho Statehouse roundup: Senators field lengthy testimony on ESA bill, vote likely Wednesday

By: - February 14, 2023

This story was originally posted on IdahoEdNews.org on Feb. 14, 2023. A controversial school choice bill ignited a long debate in the Senate Education Committee Tuesday afternoon — leaving some 70 people waiting to speak, and a committee vote on hold. The debate will continue Wednesday, with a vote likely at the end of the […]

Idaho Rep. Jaron Crane, R-Nampa,

Idaho Statehouse roundup: Library pornography bill surfaces, House passes financial literacy bill

By: and - February 13, 2023

This story was originally posted on IdahoEdNews.org on Feb. 13, 2023. Another bill targeting library pornography made a brief debut Monday. Billed as the “School and Library Protection Act,” the bill would prohibit schools and libraries from distributing obscene materials to minors. But this new bill makes one significant departure from a controversial libraries proposal […]

Rep. Julie Yamamoto Idaho Legislature

Retired teacher takes over Idaho Legislature’s House Education Committee

By: - January 4, 2023

Originally posted on IdahoEdNews.org on January 4, 2023 Former educator and school administrator Julie Yamamoto will lead the House Education Committee when the Legislature reconvenes next week. Her goal, she says, is to create a collaborative lawmaking environment and push forward robust legislation to serve Idaho students and families. Yamamoto, R-Caldwell, decided she wanted to […]

Side-by-side photos of two candidates: a man in a gray suit with red tie and glasses, and a woman wearing a white suit with black top, necklace and glasses

Schools superintendent candidates spar over a variety of Idaho education policies

By: - November 7, 2022

Originally posted on IdahoEdNews.org on October 24, 2022 State superintendent candidates Republican Debbie Critchfield and Democrat Terry Gilbert clashed over a variety of education policies, including school choice, funding and immunization rates during Monday night’s Idaho Public Television debate. Gilbert, a former teacher, jabbed at Critchfield’s lack of classroom experience, while she flexed her former […]

School Construction working group

New legislative working group kicks off discussion on school buildings

By: - October 6, 2022

Originally posted on IdahoEdNews.org on October 6, 2022 Lawmakers gathered Thursday to begin discussing a longstanding issue: how to pay for school buildings. The new Funding Construction of Public Schools working group has taken on a three-month challenge to come up with solutions to one of Idaho’s most pressing education issues. The group’s co-chair, Sen. […]