In more than two dozen communities across Idaho tonight, teachers, parents, and students gathered to protest the passage of Senate Bills 1108 (the bill to get teacher rights in Idaho) and Senate Bill 1110 (pay-for-performance). From Aberdeen to Boise, from Grace to Fruitland, from Ketchum to Kuna, from Meridian to Minidoka, from Oneida to Post Falls, hundreds of Idahoans took part in the vigils.
In other late developments today:
House Education Committee Chairman Bob Nonini (R-Coeur d’Alene) told reporters his committee will hold public testimony on Senate Bills 1108 and 1110 starting Tuesday morning, March 1. It’s unclear how much testimony will be taken. Nonini had said earlier Thursday that he would wait for all three Luna bills to pass the Senate before starting work on these two. He apparently changed his mind late Thursday.
Senate Bill 1113 – which boosts class sizes, mandates online classes, and would eliminate a thousand Idaho jobs – has gone back to the Senate Education Committee. Chairman John Goedde (R-Coeur d’Alene) told Eye on Boise that discussions are likely next Monday or Tuesday to “see … where there might be some opportunities to make changes.” He said it is likely that the current bill will be held in committee and a new, revised bill will be introduced.
