Emma Epperly
@emmaepperly.bsky.social
Reporter covering North Idaho for Idaho Ed News
Alum of The Spokesman-Review, Adjunct at Gonzaga & Eastern Washington University
Sometimes swimmer, frequent reader and constant cat mom
-tips, encouragement, & complaints - 📧: [email protected]
Alum of The Spokesman-Review, Adjunct at Gonzaga & Eastern Washington University
Sometimes swimmer, frequent reader and constant cat mom
-tips, encouragement, & complaints - 📧: [email protected]
Reposted by Emma Epperly
One school leader plans to ask legislators to change the timeline for permission slips to once a semester, instead of the week of instruction.
www.idahoednews.org/news/new-opt... #idedu
www.idahoednews.org/news/new-opt... #idedu
New opt-in law for human sexuality lessons prompts varied responses from Idaho schools
One charter has sent hundreds of permission slips to parents. Others aren’t tracking them.
www.idahoednews.org
January 21, 2026 at 11:34 PM
One school leader plans to ask legislators to change the timeline for permission slips to once a semester, instead of the week of instruction.
www.idahoednews.org/news/new-opt... #idedu
www.idahoednews.org/news/new-opt... #idedu
Reposted by Emma Epperly
Today, an Idaho Capital Sun story detailed a policy directing state agencies to work with the governor's office before answering questions from lawmakers and reporters.
Then, a bill came to protect state staff who talk to legislators — and Democrats decried the governor's policy. #idleg #idpol
Then, a bill came to protect state staff who talk to legislators — and Democrats decried the governor's policy. #idleg #idpol
Idaho governor tells state agencies to coordinate responses on legislators', journalists' questions • Idaho Capital Sun
Ahead of the 2026 legislative session, Idaho Gov. Brad Little’s office told state government agencies how to reply to requests for information.
idahocapitalsun.com
January 21, 2026 at 9:14 PM
One medical arts charter school sent out 750 permission slips last semester- no families opted out.
www.idahoednews.org/news/new-opt... #idedu #SexEd #parentalrights
www.idahoednews.org/news/new-opt... #idedu #SexEd #parentalrights
New opt-in law for human sexuality lessons prompts varied responses from Idaho schools
One charter has sent hundreds of permission slips to parents. Others aren’t tracking them.
www.idahoednews.org
January 21, 2026 at 11:37 PM
One medical arts charter school sent out 750 permission slips last semester- no families opted out.
www.idahoednews.org/news/new-opt... #idedu #SexEd #parentalrights
www.idahoednews.org/news/new-opt... #idedu #SexEd #parentalrights
Reposted by Emma Epperly
ICYMI: See the top performers broken out by charter schools, traditional school districts and online schools.
www.idahoednews.org/news/top-10-... #literacy #reading #idedu
www.idahoednews.org/news/top-10-... #literacy #reading #idedu
Top 10 lists: See who fared best on the new reading test
INSIDE:
www.idahoednews.org
January 19, 2026 at 5:32 PM
ICYMI: See the top performers broken out by charter schools, traditional school districts and online schools.
www.idahoednews.org/news/top-10-... #literacy #reading #idedu
www.idahoednews.org/news/top-10-... #literacy #reading #idedu
Reposted by Emma Epperly
The test results are the first from the redesigned Idaho Reading Indicator.
www.idahoednews.org/top-news/fal... #literacy #testscores #idedu #idpol
www.idahoednews.org/top-news/fal... #literacy #testscores #idedu #idpol
Fall test scores show about half of young students read at or above grade level
The results are the first from the redesigned Idaho Reading Indicator and show a drop from last year.
www.idahoednews.org
January 16, 2026 at 5:49 PM
The test results are the first from the redesigned Idaho Reading Indicator.
www.idahoednews.org/top-news/fal... #literacy #testscores #idedu #idpol
www.idahoednews.org/top-news/fal... #literacy #testscores #idedu #idpol
Students took the newly designed IRI for the first time in October.
Instead of selecting from provided answers students read aloud from a computer.
Learn more here:
www.idahoednews.org/top-news/fal... #standardizedtests #literacy #thescienceofreading
Instead of selecting from provided answers students read aloud from a computer.
Learn more here:
www.idahoednews.org/top-news/fal... #standardizedtests #literacy #thescienceofreading
Fall test scores show about half of young students read at or above grade level
The results are the first from the redesigned Idaho Reading Indicator and show a drop from last year.
www.idahoednews.org
January 16, 2026 at 5:53 PM
Students took the newly designed IRI for the first time in October.
Instead of selecting from provided answers students read aloud from a computer.
Learn more here:
www.idahoednews.org/top-news/fal... #standardizedtests #literacy #thescienceofreading
Instead of selecting from provided answers students read aloud from a computer.
Learn more here:
www.idahoednews.org/top-news/fal... #standardizedtests #literacy #thescienceofreading
Reposted by Emma Epperly
Gov. Brad Little said his budget would protect “classroom funding” for public schools amid a statewide revenue crunch.
But this didn’t apply to online education. The Idaho Digital Learning Alliance faces a potential 39% cut.
www.idahoednews.org/legislature/...
But this didn’t apply to online education. The Idaho Digital Learning Alliance faces a potential 39% cut.
www.idahoednews.org/legislature/...
Governor, superintendent propose major cuts to state’s online learning platform
Rural public school leaders say the Idaho Digital Learning Alliance is a “lifeline” for supplementing curriculum.
www.idahoednews.org
January 15, 2026 at 9:32 PM
Gov. Brad Little said his budget would protect “classroom funding” for public schools amid a statewide revenue crunch.
But this didn’t apply to online education. The Idaho Digital Learning Alliance faces a potential 39% cut.
www.idahoednews.org/legislature/...
But this didn’t apply to online education. The Idaho Digital Learning Alliance faces a potential 39% cut.
www.idahoednews.org/legislature/...
Reposted by Emma Epperly
The West Bonner School District settled out of court with former superintendent Branden Durst last month for an undisclosed amount.
West Bonner settles lawsuit with former superintendent Branden Durst
The North Idaho district did not respond to requests from EdNews for the settlement amount.
www.idahoednews.org
January 15, 2026 at 7:13 PM
The West Bonner School District settled out of court with former superintendent Branden Durst last month for an undisclosed amount.
Reposted by Emma Epperly
For more than a decade, no legislator has put more fingerprints on education budgets — or had more of a voice in the private school choice debate. Here's a closer look at Horman's career, and the work left behind. #idleg #idaho www.idahoednews.org/top-news/hor...
Horman leaves a deep imprint, a complex legacy — and unfinished business
For more than a decade, no legislator has put more fingerprints on education budgets — or had more of a voice in the private school choice debate. But Horman is leaves the Legislature to wrestle Id…
www.idahoednews.org
January 15, 2026 at 4:42 PM
For more than a decade, no legislator has put more fingerprints on education budgets — or had more of a voice in the private school choice debate. Here's a closer look at Horman's career, and the work left behind. #idleg #idaho www.idahoednews.org/top-news/hor...
Reposted by Emma Epperly
The application window for the Parental Choice Tax Credit will open at 12:01 a.m. Thursday.
www.idahoednews.org/school-choic...
www.idahoednews.org/school-choic...
Set your alarm for midnight if you plan to join the race for private education tax credits
The state money is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis and the application window opens at 12:01 a.m. Thursday.
www.idahoednews.org
January 14, 2026 at 10:01 PM
The application window for the Parental Choice Tax Credit will open at 12:01 a.m. Thursday.
www.idahoednews.org/school-choic...
www.idahoednews.org/school-choic...
Reposted by Emma Epperly
For more than a decade, no legislator has put more fingerprints on education budgets — or had more of a voice in the private school choice debate. Here's a closer look at Horman's career, and the work left behind. #idleg #idaho www.idahoednews.org/top-news/hor...
Horman leaves a deep imprint, a complex legacy — and unfinished business
For more than a decade, no legislator has put more fingerprints on education budgets — or had more of a voice in the private school choice debate. But Horman is leaves the Legislature to wrestle Id…
www.idahoednews.org
January 15, 2026 at 4:44 PM
For more than a decade, no legislator has put more fingerprints on education budgets — or had more of a voice in the private school choice debate. Here's a closer look at Horman's career, and the work left behind. #idleg #idaho www.idahoednews.org/top-news/hor...
For the last couple of years every time I write the fund balances story I've been curious about Kootenai Bridge Academy, which has 160% of their annual general fund budget in savings.
This year I HAVE ANSWERS:
www.idahoednews.org/top-news/dis...
This year I HAVE ANSWERS:
www.idahoednews.org/top-news/dis...
Districts and charters continue to break records by scrolling away millions
Schools save nearly 23% as much as they have to spend.
www.idahoednews.org
January 14, 2026 at 3:56 PM
For the last couple of years every time I write the fund balances story I've been curious about Kootenai Bridge Academy, which has 160% of their annual general fund budget in savings.
This year I HAVE ANSWERS:
www.idahoednews.org/top-news/dis...
This year I HAVE ANSWERS:
www.idahoednews.org/top-news/dis...
Reposted by Emma Epperly
From the school’s self-paced educational model, location in downtown Coeur d’Alene in a refurbished health club, to its’ savings account and test scores — everything about the school is out of the norm.
www.idahoednews.org/news/kootena...
www.idahoednews.org/news/kootena...
Kootenai Bridge Academy is an outlier, but school leaders say their model works
They reside in a refurbished health club and go at their own pace.
www.idahoednews.org
January 14, 2026 at 3:47 PM
From the school’s self-paced educational model, location in downtown Coeur d’Alene in a refurbished health club, to its’ savings account and test scores — everything about the school is out of the norm.
www.idahoednews.org/news/kootena...
www.idahoednews.org/news/kootena...
Reposted by Emma Epperly
Idaho school districts put more than $716 million into savings this year, another record amount.
www.idahoednews.org/top-news/dis... #idedu
www.idahoednews.org/top-news/dis... #idedu
Districts and charters continue to break records by scrolling away millions
Districts and charters save nearly 23% as much as they have to spend.
www.idahoednews.org
January 14, 2026 at 3:48 PM
Idaho school districts put more than $716 million into savings this year, another record amount.
www.idahoednews.org/top-news/dis... #idedu
www.idahoednews.org/top-news/dis... #idedu
Reposted by Emma Epperly
Will public schools remain exempt from budget cuts?
Where can Idaho train new doctors to ease a physician shortage? Will private school choice pass constitutional muster?
These are some of the issues we'll be following in 2026.
www.idahoednews.org/legislature/...
Where can Idaho train new doctors to ease a physician shortage? Will private school choice pass constitutional muster?
These are some of the issues we'll be following in 2026.
www.idahoednews.org/legislature/...
The top five education issues EdNews will follow in 2026
The new year is shaping up to be another hectic one for education policy. Here’s what we’ll writing about.
www.idahoednews.org
January 8, 2026 at 8:43 PM
Will public schools remain exempt from budget cuts?
Where can Idaho train new doctors to ease a physician shortage? Will private school choice pass constitutional muster?
These are some of the issues we'll be following in 2026.
www.idahoednews.org/legislature/...
Where can Idaho train new doctors to ease a physician shortage? Will private school choice pass constitutional muster?
These are some of the issues we'll be following in 2026.
www.idahoednews.org/legislature/...
Reposted by Emma Epperly
Virtual school programs have grown quickly since the COVID-19 pandemic and, critics argue, with little oversight. Lawmakers are expected to take up this issue in the 2026 session.
Here's an overview of the Idaho virtual schools landscape:
www.idahoednews.org/features/spe... #idpol #virtualschools
Here's an overview of the Idaho virtual schools landscape:
www.idahoednews.org/features/spe... #idpol #virtualschools
Spelling it out: Online Schools
Spelling it Out: Online Schools In Idaho, 32 public virtual schools serve more than 18,500 students, a growing trend since the COVID-19 pandemic. Some families see online public school as a homesch…
www.idahoednews.org
January 8, 2026 at 5:26 PM
Virtual school programs have grown quickly since the COVID-19 pandemic and, critics argue, with little oversight. Lawmakers are expected to take up this issue in the 2026 session.
Here's an overview of the Idaho virtual schools landscape:
www.idahoednews.org/features/spe... #idpol #virtualschools
Here's an overview of the Idaho virtual schools landscape:
www.idahoednews.org/features/spe... #idpol #virtualschools
Virtual school programs have grown quickly since the COVID-19 pandemic and, critics argue, with little oversight.
Lawmakers are expected to take up this issue in the 2026 session.
Here's what you should know before the session starts:
www.idahoednews.org/features/spe... #idpol #virtualschools
Lawmakers are expected to take up this issue in the 2026 session.
Here's what you should know before the session starts:
www.idahoednews.org/features/spe... #idpol #virtualschools
Spelling it out: Online Schools
Spelling it Out: Online Schools In Idaho, 32 public virtual schools serve more than 18,500 students, a growing trend since the COVID-19 pandemic. Some families see online public school as a homesch…
www.idahoednews.org
January 8, 2026 at 5:28 PM
Virtual school programs have grown quickly since the COVID-19 pandemic and, critics argue, with little oversight.
Lawmakers are expected to take up this issue in the 2026 session.
Here's what you should know before the session starts:
www.idahoednews.org/features/spe... #idpol #virtualschools
Lawmakers are expected to take up this issue in the 2026 session.
Here's what you should know before the session starts:
www.idahoednews.org/features/spe... #idpol #virtualschools
Reposted by Emma Epperly
The increase is due in part to a minimum salary requirement increase to $50,252 this year, a significant increase for some districts that were paying as low as $41,500.
www.idahoednews.org/top-news/ida... #teacherpay #idedu
www.idahoednews.org/top-news/ida... #teacherpay #idedu
Idaho’s average teacher salary increases more than 5%
The number climbed to over $66,000 this school year.
www.idahoednews.org
January 5, 2026 at 11:01 PM
The increase is due in part to a minimum salary requirement increase to $50,252 this year, a significant increase for some districts that were paying as low as $41,500.
www.idahoednews.org/top-news/ida... #teacherpay #idedu
www.idahoednews.org/top-news/ida... #teacherpay #idedu
Reposted by Emma Epperly
In other business Wednesday, the State Board of Education approved the first steps of a medical education partnership between the University of Idaho-University of Utah medical education partnership. #idaho #idleg www.idahoednews.org/top-news/cri...
Critchfield pulls plug on $50 million special education plan
In other business Wednesday, the State Board of Education approved the first steps of a medical education partnership between the University of Idaho-University of Utah medical education partnershi…
www.idahoednews.org
December 17, 2025 at 10:52 PM
In other business Wednesday, the State Board of Education approved the first steps of a medical education partnership between the University of Idaho-University of Utah medical education partnership. #idaho #idleg www.idahoednews.org/top-news/cri...
Reposted by Emma Epperly
The community schools grant made a “store” at the HUB possible, along with free books, haircuts, and hygiene supplies. It paid for trips to see theater productions, forestry simulators, swim lessons, new school clubs, and more.
www.idahoednews.org/news/cancell... #idedu
www.idahoednews.org/news/cancell... #idedu
Cancelled grant puts Moscow district’s community HUB in jeopardy: ‘I’m pretty heartbroken’
The community schools grant will end on Dec. 31.
www.idahoednews.org
December 17, 2025 at 9:14 PM
The community schools grant made a “store” at the HUB possible, along with free books, haircuts, and hygiene supplies. It paid for trips to see theater productions, forestry simulators, swim lessons, new school clubs, and more.
www.idahoednews.org/news/cancell... #idedu
www.idahoednews.org/news/cancell... #idedu
“I’m pretty heartbroken,” said Melissa Godfrey, middle school community coordinator. “I love my school, and I love my kids. So I’m just worried. I’m worried for them.”
www.idahoednews.org/news/cancell... #idedu #idpol #communityschools
www.idahoednews.org/news/cancell... #idedu #idpol #communityschools
Cancelled grant puts Moscow district’s community HUB in jeopardy: ‘I’m pretty heartbroken’
The community schools grant will end on Dec. 31.
www.idahoednews.org
December 17, 2025 at 9:16 PM
“I’m pretty heartbroken,” said Melissa Godfrey, middle school community coordinator. “I love my school, and I love my kids. So I’m just worried. I’m worried for them.”
www.idahoednews.org/news/cancell... #idedu #idpol #communityschools
www.idahoednews.org/news/cancell... #idedu #idpol #communityschools
Reposted by Emma Epperly
The Idaho Public Charter School Commission approved two new schools Thursday, one that commissioners had previously denied, and encountered legal uncertainty when looking at conditions placed on struggling schools.
www.idahoednews.org/news/commiss... #idedu
www.idahoednews.org/news/commiss... #idedu
Commissioners approve two new schools, then run into legal confusion on governing struggling schools
The commission’s executive director said they have to re-evaluate how to approach conditions and plan to consult their deputy attorney general.
www.idahoednews.org
December 12, 2025 at 5:01 PM
The Idaho Public Charter School Commission approved two new schools Thursday, one that commissioners had previously denied, and encountered legal uncertainty when looking at conditions placed on struggling schools.
www.idahoednews.org/news/commiss... #idedu
www.idahoednews.org/news/commiss... #idedu
Reposted by Emma Epperly
In a column advocating for private school choice, GOP Chairwoman Dorothy Moon questioned whether Idaho’s public school system is “fulfilling its purpose.”
State Superintendent Debbie Critchfield responded, defending public schools.
www.idahoednews.org/top-news/gop...
State Superintendent Debbie Critchfield responded, defending public schools.
www.idahoednews.org/top-news/gop...
GOP chair on public schools: Money ‘cannot fix a broken system’
In a column advocating for private school choice, Dorothy Moon questioned whether Idaho’s public school system is “fulfilling its purpose.” The state superintendent shot back.
www.idahoednews.org
December 12, 2025 at 4:22 PM
In a column advocating for private school choice, GOP Chairwoman Dorothy Moon questioned whether Idaho’s public school system is “fulfilling its purpose.”
State Superintendent Debbie Critchfield responded, defending public schools.
www.idahoednews.org/top-news/gop...
State Superintendent Debbie Critchfield responded, defending public schools.
www.idahoednews.org/top-news/gop...
Reposted by Emma Epperly
I can't stop thinking about this conservative mom trying - & failing - to keep MAGA conservatives from taking apart public school from the inside, courtesy of @laurapappano.bsky.social & @emmaepperly.bsky.social for @hechingerreport.org & @idahoednews.bsky.social. hechingerreport.org/a-republican...
A Republican homeschooling mom came to love her public schools. Now she’s fighting other conservatives she thinks will destroy them
In North Idaho, a local mom’s efforts to wrest school board control from MAGA conservatives ended in disappointment on Election Day. How it happened carries a message about political power.
hechingerreport.org
December 11, 2025 at 5:23 PM
I can't stop thinking about this conservative mom trying - & failing - to keep MAGA conservatives from taking apart public school from the inside, courtesy of @laurapappano.bsky.social & @emmaepperly.bsky.social for @hechingerreport.org & @idahoednews.bsky.social. hechingerreport.org/a-republican...
Reposted by Emma Epperly
The settlement would close one of seven cases involving Gavin Snow, a former special education assistant at two Boise elementary schools. The district says it has agreed to a total of $7 million in settlements. #idaho www.idahoednews.org/news/judge-c...
Judge considers $999,999 settlement against Boise district
The settlement would close one of seven cases involving Gavin Snow, a former special education assistant at two Boise elementary schools. The district says it has agreed to a total of $7 million in…
www.idahoednews.org
December 10, 2025 at 4:46 PM
The settlement would close one of seven cases involving Gavin Snow, a former special education assistant at two Boise elementary schools. The district says it has agreed to a total of $7 million in settlements. #idaho www.idahoednews.org/news/judge-c...