Svan will spend the next 10 weeks traveling the state, from Rathdrum to Rexburg, on the $8,000 award from the Education Writers Association (EWA). The national award was given to analyze the impacts of two education initiatives — Superintendent Debbie Critchfield’s Idaho Career Ready Students and Gov. Brad Little’s Idaho Launch.

Idaho leaders have committed $120 million to shift the narrative from obtaining college degrees to preparing for in-demand careers — pushing the idea that workforce training, apprenticeships, career technical education, trade schools and technical colleges are critical to the state’s economic success, especially in rural and remote communities. How effective has the approach been?

EWA awarded 11 projects across the country. Fellowships are designed to help cover reporting costs and are part of the EWA’s drive to support enterprise journalism that informs the public about consequential issues in education.

“The caliber of the new fellows and their projects reflects the vital, timely work being done by our journalists members in newsrooms large and small,” said Kathy Chow, EWA’s executive director. “We are thrilled to kick off the new year with such encouraging evidence of the strength and importance of the education beat.”

The winter 2024 EWA “Reporting Fellows” represent a diverse mix of news organizations, like The Hechinger Report and Chalkbeat. EdNews will publish its project in the 2023-24 academic year. To read more about this year’s fellows, use this link.

Trustees followed Dennis’ news by voting 7-0 to interview Deputy Superintendent Lisa Roberts to take the leadership role at a special board meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 17 at 5:30 p.m. The interview will occur in executive session following the start of the special meeting. The meeting will be open to the public, with an opportunity for comment prior to the interview. Boise has traditionally promoted within when filling leadership positions.

Dennis has worked in the Boise School District — Idaho’s second largest district — since 1991. He has served as superintendent, deputy superintendent, area director (Timberline High and Capital High), junior high principal (Les Bois), assistant principal (Capital, Borah, and North Junior High) and secondary teacher (Borah and North).

Roberts has served the students and families of the Boise School District for 31 years as a classroom teacher, elementary school principal, administrator of student programs, Borah area director and, for the last five years, as deputy superintendent. Roberts has also served on the district’s negotiations team for 18 years. Roberts also is on the Board of Directors for the Women’s and Children Alliance and on St. Luke’s Community Health Board.

On Monday, Dennis expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to serve the district and praised the hard work and dedication of the staff, students and families.

“For almost a half century, there have been two things in my life that have consistently brought me joy – my family and the Boise School District. There are so many people to thank and please know that you have all had a profound effect on me and my family,” said Dennis. “I know that this organization is in great shape and that we have talented and caring folks in place who will continue to deliver on the expectation of a high-quality educational experience for the students and families of Boise.”

Board members had high praise for Dennis’ tenure as superintendent.

“We congratulate superintendent Dennis on his upcoming and well-deserved retirement,” said Boise School Board President Dave Wagers. “Superintendent Dennis and his administrative team have made significant contributions to our District, implementing innovative programs and initiatives that have positively impacted our community’s students and staff alike. We are grateful for his leadership and wish him a healthy and happy retirement.”

Will state leaders address Idaho’s school facilities backlog? How will the school choice debate shake out? Will legislators wade into the wonky but important debate about enrollment- or attendance-based school funding?

And what’s the other big education issue legislators should be talking about?

To get the answers, Kevin Richert and Ryan Suppe interview Quinn Perry of the Idaho School Boards Association and Matt Compton of the Idaho Education Association.

Kevin Richert caught up with three trustees — Nancy Gregory of Boise, Jason Knopp of Melba and Starr Olsen of Dietrich — to talk about the elections, the upcoming legislative session and the role of the trustee.

The senior class wanted patrons to learn more about the two candidates running for trustee seat 5, so three seniors moderated and facilitated a question-and-answer forum between Monica Gokey and Paula Bartlett.

The trustee election is Tuesday. More than 200 Idaho trustee seats are on ballots that day, as well as mayor and City Council seats, among other initiatives. Find out what’s happening in your area and how to vote by clicking here. 

“These students did an excellent job,” said social studies teacher Leesa Johnson.  “It is the first time that these students got the opportunity to participate in the political process.”

It was a hands-on learning experience for them and the rest of the high school government class. 

“It’s what a small rural school is doing to create opportunities for learning,” Johnson said.

Cascade seniors Grant Whipple and Tyler Thurston moderated the forum and Samuel Huckaby was the official timekeeper. (They are pictured here.)