Watch: Inside the investigation: ‘Idaho’s Crumbling Schools’ recorded earlier.

Watch our live discussion about the Idaho Statesman’s and ProPublica’s groundbreaking investigation into the state of public school facilities across Idaho.

The conversation was presented by Idaho Business for Education and the Idaho Statesman. Learn how the investigative reporting series on Idaho’s crumbling schools came together, and its potential impact on funding for school facilities.

The series, a collaboration between the Statesman and ProPublica, uncovered how restrictive policies and a reluctance to make significant investments in school buildings led to a funding crisis that has left schools across Idaho with collapsing roofs, deteriorating foundations and freezing classrooms.

Statesman Education Reporter Becca Savransky and a ProPublica Engagement Reporter Asia Fields analyzed bond data, sifted through records and visited 39 schools. They also heard from hundreds of students, teachers, parents and administrators and surveyed nearly all Idaho school superintendents.

The resulting articles caught the attention of state leaders. In his State of the State address, Gov. Brad Little cited the investigation and announced a proposal to make funding school buildings “priority No. 1” for 2024.

Becca, Asia, and Statesman Accountability Editor Hayat Norimine will walk you through how and why this series happened, and how local journalism can make a difference in people’s lives and impact state policies.

Register in advance and ask a question of our reporting team.

You can read the three-part series and all the related stories.

This story was originally published January 24, 2024 at 12:00 PM.