Emma Epperly
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emmaepperly.bsky.social
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]
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
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
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...
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
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
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
Reposted by Emma Epperly
Analysis: A stinging legislative report spells out a spate of problems at the massive Idaho Home Learning Academy — issues the 2025 Legislature left unresolved. #idaho #idleg #idpol www.idahoednews.org/top-news/ana...
Analysis: The virtual school Wild West comes under scrutiny
A stinging legislative report spells out a spate of problems at the massive Idaho Home Learning Academy — issues the 2025 Legislature left unresolved.
www.idahoednews.org
December 4, 2025 at 5:27 PM
Reposted by Emma Epperly
The report, in finished form, is due to Gov. Brad Little and the #idleg on Jan. 2. Lawmakers are likely to debate medical education programs again in 2026, and where the state should spend taxpayer dollars on subsidized medical school seats. #idaho www.idahoednews.org/news/state-r...
State report lays out — and does not rule out — medical education options
The report, in finished form, is due to Gov. Brad Little and the Legislature on Jan. 2. Lawmakers are likely to debate medical education programs again in 2026, and where the state should spend tax…
www.idahoednews.org
December 2, 2025 at 4:58 PM
Reposted by Emma Epperly
The race for two seats on the Lakeland school board in Idaho was not about school issues, but about allegiances. It offers an urgent message about strategy and power. Reported with @emmaepperly.bsky.social @idahoednews.bsky.social for @hechingerreport.org 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 1, 2025 at 5:44 PM
Reposted by Emma Epperly
What’s happening in Idaho may foretell a stepped up far right strategy to gain control of every office, from school board on up. @emmaepperly.bsky.social of @idahoednews.bsky.social and I learned first hand about the new ground game. @hechingerreport.org 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 1, 2025 at 5:22 PM
Reposted by Emma Epperly
December 1, 2025 at 4:08 PM
Reposted by Emma Epperly
The ground game is changing. A school board race in Idaho shows how. Really enjoyed reporting with @emmaepperly.bsky.social @idahoednews.bsky.social for @hechingerreport.org with fab photos by @joanmorse.
December 1, 2025 at 4:07 PM
Reposted by Emma Epperly
A Republican homeschooling mom came to love her public schools. Now she’s fighting other conservatives she thinks will destroy them

KOOTENAI COUNTY, Idaho — Moms answer other moms, especially when it involves their children and schools. Yet here it was, Election Day in the parking lot of Lakeland…
A Republican homeschooling mom came to love her public schools. Now she’s fighting other conservatives she thinks will destroy them
KOOTENAI COUNTY, Idaho — Moms answer other moms, especially when it involves their children and schools. Yet here it was, Election Day in the parking lot of Lakeland High School in North Idaho and Suzanne Gallus — a hyperorganized Republican mom who once homeschooled her seven children and is now a public-school advocate and school board campaign operative — was staring at her phone. Stunned. “Nobody’s responding,” she said, pacing in a teal puffer on the chilly November day. “I’m sending texts to these parents, right? Like ‘Hey, Tina, don’t forget to vote today.’ I sent 10 of those texts and nothing.
hechingerreport.org
December 1, 2025 at 6:00 AM
Reposted by Emma Epperly
Reposted by Emma Epperly
In September, a coalition of opponents sued to block the new program from taking effect. State attorneys are defending it, backed by supporters from Idaho to Arkansas to Indiana.
www.idahoednews.org/school-choic...
Who’s who in the HB 93 lawsuit? Meet the plaintiffs and defendants
Educators, attorneys, parents and politicians have picked sides in a lawsuit to decide whether Idaho can subsidize private education.
www.idahoednews.org
November 20, 2025 at 8:45 PM
Reposted by Emma Epperly
The highest-profile job search in Idaho higher education is on indefinite hold. We dug into more than 150 pages of public records, following the path from a fast-track search to a sudden slowdown. #idleg #idaho www.idahoednews.org/top-news/in-...
In depth: Public records tell the story behind the flawed Boise State president search
The highest-profile job search in Idaho higher education is on indefinite hold. Idaho Education News dug into more than 150 pages of public records, following the path from a fast-track search to a…
www.idahoednews.org
November 20, 2025 at 8:27 PM
There have been no complaints since September.

www.idahoednews.org/news/flag-an... #idedu #idaho #everyoneiswelcomehere
Flag-and-banner law yields two complaints in five months
Both complaints were resolved.
www.idahoednews.org
November 19, 2025 at 7:25 PM
Reposted by Emma Epperly
When the group’s report goes public, probably in early December, it will probably leave the politically charged questions to the politicians. #idaho #idleg www.idahoednews.org/top-news/wor...
Working group punts on medical school partnerships, including WWAMI
When the group’s report goes public, probably in early December, it will probably leave the politically charged questions to the politicians.
www.idahoednews.org
November 17, 2025 at 11:43 PM
Reposted by Emma Epperly
West Bonner's former superintendent appeared to resign from the job when he penned an "exit" letter. But the school board "misrepresented" the letter, Durst argues, and an expert witness will testify that he's owed $402,210.
www.idahoednews.org/news/durst-w...
Durst witness says West Bonner owes him more than $400k
The short-time superintendent of a North Idaho district claims that school board trustees breached his contract.
www.idahoednews.org
November 17, 2025 at 10:56 PM
Reposted by Emma Epperly
Public school trustees' opposition to public funds going to private schools was front and center Friday on the final day of the Idaho School Boards Association's annual meeting in North Idaho.

www.idahoednews.org/top-news/var... #idedu
Various funding concerns dominate trustees’ business session
The resolutions they approved will dictate lobbying priorities during the 2026 legislative session.
www.idahoednews.org
November 14, 2025 at 7:28 PM
Reposted by Emma Epperly
The Idaho Constitution “doesn’t foreclose the Legislature from doing more” than establishing a “uniform” public school system, they wrote.

www.idahoednews.org/news/state-a...
State attorneys defend authority to subsidize private education
The Idaho Constitution doesn’t limit the state to only supporting the public school system, state attorneys argued.
www.idahoednews.org
November 14, 2025 at 5:38 PM
Reposted by Emma Epperly
A university professor took her public records complaint to court. A judge sided with Boise State. But taxpayers could be on the hook for close to $45,000. #idleg #idaho www.idahoednews.org/top-news/a-b...
A Boise State public records request leads to a rare, costly court dispute
A university professor took her public records complaint to court. A judge sided with Boise State. But taxpayers could be on the hook for close to $45,000.
www.idahoednews.org
November 10, 2025 at 8:35 PM
Reposted by Emma Epperly
The average superintendent salary in Idaho increased less than $1,000 over last year with the same three school districts paying their leaders over $200,000, according to new data analyzed by EdNews.

www.idahoednews.org/top-news/top... #idedu
Top paid administrators come from the largest districts; see this year’s list
INSIDE: See what your district or charter leader gets paid.
www.idahoednews.org
November 10, 2025 at 10:18 PM
Reposted by Emma Epperly
School funding is the key theme that runs through the resolutions that hundreds of Idaho trustees will consider later this week. The proposals could guide their lobbying efforts during the 2026 legislative session.
www.idahoednews.org/top-news/hun... #idedu #idpol #schoolboard
Hundreds of trustees convene in Coeur d’Alene this week for annual convention
The agenda includes networking, workshops and voting on a legislative platform. INSIDE: The 13 resolutions to be considered.
www.idahoednews.org
November 10, 2025 at 3:56 PM
Reposted by Emma Epperly
A stinging legislative staff report outlined several familiar problems with the multimillion-dollar upgrade — but exposed some new problems. #idleg #idaho www.idahoednews.org/top-news/sta...
State Board staff misspent $1.8 million earmarked for botched data project
A stinging legislative staff report outlined several familiar problems with the Idaho System for Educational Excellence upgrade — but exposed some new problems.
www.idahoednews.org
November 5, 2025 at 8:29 PM
Reposted by Emma Epperly
Clearwater Valley’s levy passed with 54% in support, while Grangeville’s failed with 54% opposed.

www.idahoednews.org/news/shockin... #idedu #education #k12 #idpol
Shocking election outcome sends Grangeville reeling and Clearwater Valley roaring
Mountain View School District Superintendent Alica Holthaus went through a roller coaster of emotions looking at election results Tuesday night: surprise, elation, and confusion. Holthaus is overse…
www.idahoednews.org
November 5, 2025 at 11:39 PM
Reposted by Emma Epperly
Overall, 19 of the 26 supplemental levies on the ballot passed. Seven failed. Two of the four plant facilities levies passed; two failed.

See the results from your school district here:
www.idahoednews.org/elections25/...
#idedu #idpol
All bonds rejected, most levies pass
The ballot measures total more than $155 million. INSIDE: Find out what’s on your ballot.
www.idahoednews.org
November 5, 2025 at 11:39 PM