Red, White & Blue
What's next for Props 1, 2 & 3 in Idaho?
Idaho voters have their say, and it’s three no's for Propositions 1, 2 and 3 - ‘Students Come First’ Education Laws.
On Wednesday, we talked to people involved in both sides about what happens next with these laws.
It was a major victory for those against Idaho’s education reform laws, but the governor said this crushing defeat doesn't mean Idaho voters changed their political views.
The laws turned out to be the most talked about state issue, during the election season.
Leaders of the ‘Vote No' campaign said they learned a lot through Props 1, 2 and 3, about what they want for Idaho students and teachers.
"We want transparency, we want collaboration and input from our educators," said Maria Greeley, Vote No Campaign Treasurer.
In addition to bringing more people to the table, campaign leaders said they want local school boards to make decisions for their own districts.
Governor Otter, a major supporter of the 'Students Come First' laws, said he's ready to have that talk.
"What can we accomplish, and how quick can we accomplish that and who do we have to have in the room to accomplish that, what we need to do is take each prop and what did you like about it? If you had chance to change it how would you change it?" asked Governor Otter.
"I think we have a lot of work to do," said Greeley.
Prop 1 - Limits collective bargaining negotiations to salary and benefits and ends renewable contracts for teachers
Prop 2 - Pay for performance - awards teacher bonuses based on several factors including student-test scores, graduation rates
Prop 3 - Technology in the classroom - would bring laptops into high school classrooms statewide
Both sides said they hope to negotiate and find compromises in dealing with these laws.
We also tried to contact the Superintendent of Idaho Public Schools, Tom Luna about the failed outcome of the education reform laws on the ballot.
He emailed us this statement:
“I still believe that Idahoans want better schools through education reform. I still believe that empowering local school boards, phasing out tenure, giving parents input on evaluations, helping students take dual credit, paying teachers for more than just years of experience and amount of education, and making sure every classroom is a 21st Century Classroom are critical if we want an education system that meets the needs of every child. We have now had a 22-month discussion about what this should look like. I understand Idahoans have expressed concerns, yet I do not believe any Idahoan wants to go back to the status quo system we had two years ago. I am as committed as anyone to finding a way to make this happen. We must find a way because our children’s future is at stake.”









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