Ed reform bill's fate in limbo

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — The fate of public schools chief Tom Luna's plan to overhaul the K-12 education system in Idaho remains uncertain.

Senate Education Committee Chairman John Goedde said Tuesday he doesn't see any effort to advance Senate Bill 1113, the centerpiece of Luna's plan, as the legislation is currently written. Two other bills in the reform package — one to limit teacher collective bargaining and another to introduce merit pay — have been sent onto the House.

The bill that remains in the Senate represents the biggest piece of Luna's proposed overhaul and would boost technology in the classroom, require online classes, bump up the minimum teacher pay, increase class sizes and cut 770 teaching jobs.

The legislation is being reworked in Goedde's committee amid lawmaker concerns, which include class size hikes.