Teacher Bonus Info Released

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — The state Department of Education has posted data online telling school districts which teachers have earned a bonus under a new merit pay plan. Districts were notified Wednesday they'll have 30 days to review and appeal the data used to calculate the pay-for-performance bonuses scheduled to go out Nov. 15. The bonuses, however, are part of a reform package being challenged at the ballot box and must first pass voter muster Nov. 6. The timeline is prompting outcry from critics of the reforms authored by state schools chief Tom Luna. The Idaho Education Association wrote Luna last week asking him to promptly disperse the bonus funding. Luna's spokeswoman says he hasn't yet answered the IEA's letter but plans to respond, and will maintain that the bonus timeline cannot be changed.