Richfield School District #316
Board may consider adding a bus route
Trustees are scheduled to consider a possible bus-route addition at the November 9 meeting.
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Friday, November 13, 2026
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The policy desk
What’s moving in phones
The debate over phones, screens and the school day.
The policy desk
What’s moving in AI
How artificial intelligence is changing classrooms and school rules.
The policy desk
What’s moving in student voice
Students speaking up, organizing and helping shape their schools.
The news desk
Latest Idaho stories
Staff can no longer drive students to or from school
The board voted that school employees may not drive students to or from school, except in an emergency the executive director approves. A choice about busing for field trips was put off.
Over $700,000 of school savings sat above the bank-insurance limit
The audit for the year ending June 30, 2026 shows $950,273 in the school's bank accounts, and only $250,000 of it was federally insured. In September 2026 the board voted to open a Local Government Investment Pool account and write an investment policy.
District owes about $107,000 after health benefit trust fails
At the September 15, 2026 meeting the superintendent reported that the Idaho School Benefit Trust had failed, the district's share of its shortfall is about $107,000, and the district is no longer self-insured. The board approved the payment.
Graduation rules add civics test and future credits
Amended graduation requirements adopted September 15, 2026 keep a 52-credit district requirement, add a digital literacy credit for students graduating after January 1, 2028, a Future Readiness Project starting with the class of 2028, and a required civics test from 2027-28.
Richfield School District #316
Sheriff's deputies now serve as school resource officers
On September 14, 2026 the board approved a school resource officer contract with the Lincoln County Sheriff; two deputies split time between Richfield and Dietrich schools, at no cost to the district for now.
Treasure Valley Classical Academy
Fall enrollment opened below the budgeted number
TVCA opened in August 2026 with 604 students. Its 2026-27 budget had planned for 614, after 633 students had registered in June and July. School leaders were trying to fill about 10 open seats and said they would consider any budget impact.
Jerome Joint School District #261
Up to $2.9 million set aside to pay off bonds early
On August 25, 2026, the board approved escrowing up to $2.9 million from its bond fund to defease (pay off early) part of its Series 2020 refunding bonds.
School adds a daily moment of silence and AI rules to follow new state laws
The board voted to follow all new Idaho laws in its policies. These include a daily moment of silence of at least 60 seconds (House Bill 623), rules for artificial intelligence (AI), and cyberbullying rules. Leaders are rewriting the policy manual, which dates from 2020.
More from the news desk
Gooding Joint School District #231
Board set to adopt policies on bathrooms and gender transitions
On August 18, 2026, the board was set to give final approval to 22 model policies. Two were new: 9605 'Facilities Separated by Sex' and 5900 'Prohibition on Staff Support of Social Transitions'. They had a first reading on July 14.
Idaho State Board of Education
Idaho Board approves statewide education AI framework
The Board approved Idaho’s K–12 Generative Artificial Intelligence in Education Framework. It says AI should support learning and educator effectiveness, not replace teachers; use should be human-centered, age-appropriate and responsible, with student privacy safeguards and AI-literacy support for students, educators and families.
Board approves Reducing the Risk sex education curriculum
On August 11, 2026 the board approved the Reducing the Risk curriculum for sex education instruction.
Richfield School District #316
Bus routes cut from three to two
Because of a bus driver shortage, morning and afternoon routes were condensed from three to two starting in 2026-27, which may make some students' rides longer.
Camas County School District #121
Supplemental levy goes to voters in November
Trustees approved a resolution putting a supplemental property tax levy on the November 2026 ballot. The minutes do not list the amount. News reports say it renews expiring levies for staff pay, supplies and the music program at the same tax rate.
Bliss Joint School District 234
Bus driver shortage may mean doubled-up routes
On August 10, 2026, the district said it was low on bus drivers and might run some routes twice to start the year, possibly using a district van. A few people were getting their commercial driver's licenses. In September the board hired a transportation director.
Bliss Joint School District 234
Food service ran a $29,072 deficit, covered from the general fund
On August 10, 2026, the board moved $5,838.73 from the general fund to food service. That covered $1,766.69 in unpaid 2025-26 student lunches and brought the program's total 2025-26 deficit to $29,072. In May the board had already moved $25,000 for the same reason.
Bliss Joint School District 234
New discipline, weapons, hazing and online behavior policies
On August 10, 2026, the board adopted new or revised policies on student discipline, weapons, hazing and harassment, inappropriate online behavior, student medicines, health screenings, emergency treatment, hiring and background checks, and a minute of silence, along with 2026-27 student handbook changes.
New student handbook and dress code up for a vote
The August 4, 2026 agenda lists the 2026-27 student handbook and the dress code for board action, plus a weight room remodel. What changed is not posted and the minutes are not online.
Treasure Valley Classical Academy
Board member may serve as TVCA athletic director
On July 29, 2026, the ACSI board discussed having board member Mrs. Baughman fill the vacant TVCA athletic director job as a volunteer paid only a stipend. On the attorney's advice, she would recuse herself from TVCA budget and leadership decisions.
Board talks about suspending pre-K because few young children live nearby
In July 2026 the board discussed suspending the pre-kindergarten program because few children of pre-K age live in Island Park. Pre-K had already dropped to 4 or 5 children, and in May leaders had looked at 3- to 5-day schedules to draw more families.
Middle school chiller and 1976 gym need major work
On July 21, 2026 administrators reported that the middle school chiller, over 20 years old, needs replacing and that architects are assessing the 1976 gym's heating and cooling, bleachers and locker rooms.
Jerome Joint School District #261
Voters decide a $1.75 million-a-year school levy on November 3
The board called a November 3, 2026 election on a two-year supplemental levy of $1,750,000 a year (July 2027 to June 2029). It would pay for non-reimbursed transportation, software licenses and part of the pay for classified and extracurricular staff.
Jerome Joint School District #261
Free meals for all students may end at three schools
On July 14, 2026, the board let administration drop the Community Eligibility Provision at Horizon Elementary, Summit Elementary and Falls City Academy if those schools' direct-certification rate falls below 55%. In May the board had approved the program, which gives every student free meals, for 2026-27.
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