Here’s a news item from the Associated Press: BOISE, Idaho (AP) — A bill backed by Idaho's top schools chief to develop a new rural schools network has once again failed to clear the Legislature. For the third year in a row, state lawmakers on Wednesday blocked a proposal to form a three-year pilot project in which rural schools would collaborate and share resources. The pilot project would cost $300,000 annually, which would come out of the state superintendent's office. Republican Rep. Wendy Horman, who leads efforts on writing the state's education budget in the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee, reiterated her prior concerns that the bill created an additional layer of bureaucracy. Republican Rep. Paul Amador, R-Coeur d’Alene, the bill's sponsor, countered the legislation will help schools run more efficiently. Ultimately, House members voted 48-20 to block the bill from moving forward. Superintendent of Public Instruction Sherri Ybarra has unsuccessfully attempted to pass similar proposals since taking over the office in 2015.