According to the Idaho Department of Labor, median household income declined in 25 of Idaho’s 44 counties between 2012 and 2013, Nationally, median household income was unchanged from 2012 to 2013 at just over $53,000. Only nine counties had median household incomes above the statewide median of $46,767.

Women’s median income in Idaho — or the income at which half of women earn more and half earn less — was $21,908 in 2013, 51st among the 50 states and Washington D.C. Idaho women’s median income rose 2.9 percent from 2012.

I want better for my children. I was born and raised on a farm in Idaho. I have lived all over the State. I know Boise holds more opportunity than other areas, but what about rural Idaho? You don’t have to travel very far outside of Boise to find median incomes near poverty levels. Why should we be OK with ranking 46th in Income? Are the citizens of Utah, Oregon and Nevada just better and smarter than Idahoans? If we want to compete with our neighbors we have to invest in the future of this State.

But you leave out a few things. What if delivery driver eventually gets sick of that and wants to move up or move on? Lack of a degree limits options.

And, hopefully a college degree, one which required some economics and accounting classes would help a person avoid future mistakes such as a primary home cash out refi to purchase those RVs and ski boats they always needed only to be caught later with an underwater mortgage and temporarily unemployed.

Back on topic, appraisals are hard especially when there are no comps. And there really aren’t any comps for that land. However, $800,000 an acre is far far above what other land in the area is valued at. And don’t forget, the greenbelt devalues property because its constant parade of hoodlums. That was an inside joke aimed at a former riverfront owner in the area.

BTW: Driving a short-haul local truck is a really low stress job that pays well enough to live in the middle of Boise. What do I need a degree for??

Idaho ranks Number 50 in the United States in the amount of money we invest per student.

In the latest figures available, Idaho ranked 21st in the US for its per-capita spending on highways, and 25th in the nation for its per-capita spending on prisons, but 50th for its investment in education.

Idaho ranks 46th – College-going rates of high school graduates – directly from high school.

Idaho ranks 41st – 9th graders chance for college by age 19.

Idaho ranks 47th – Percent of 18 to 24 year olds enrolled in college.

Idaho ranks 44th – Graduation rates from college (BA degree in six years).

Idaho ranks 46th – Retention Rates – First-time college freshman returning their second year.

I’m starting to think education is not a priority in Idaho. When there is no support or example given to the student when they start college what type of outcome are you expecting? I think it will be a long hard road getting up the mountain that is education. Spend some time outside of Boise and you will get a very different view on the priority of education in this State. In Boise some neighborhoods have a high rate of education. The North and East end are over 70 percent. In Downtown Caldwell only 6% have a college education. I’ll let you guess where the CWI students are coming from.

In any event, the “requirement” of one and not having an appraisal seems to be the misstep.

And so they didn’t get one- what the penalty? To who?

EDITOR NOTE–Bingo! Just like most Idaho laws, non-compliance means nothing. They will claim a “stretch” that community colleges can make their own rules.

That seems to be 8.8 million in this case.

Guardian, ask any realtor in town and you will find “appraisals” are lame.

First, an appraisal has to have other recent sales. Are there any other recent 10 acre parcels along the river next to a main arterial road, next to a future park, along the greenbelt, in an expanding area, within Boise City limits, currently sitting empty as asphalt?
Pretty tough to get an accurate appraisal on that piece.

Assessor- does anyone think the County Assessor assesses at a true Market Value? When the tax bill comes in the mail, everyone says, “My property is not worth that much!” Then when they go to sell it, they want to ask a skyscraper price for it.

Let’s compare assessor rates for speculator development land in the foothills, for M3, or Suncor out by Hidden Springs, and compare that to the price Boise paid for “preservation” for the highlands connection, and the wildlife land out toward Lucky Peak.

If CWI wants to pay 8.8 million, that is the FMV. And the assessor is just behind the market, as will be any appraisal. Nobody ever said the real estate market was fair.

EDITOR NOTE–I have been told the comp used was for the 15 acre hotel directly across the river…pretty good comp it would seem. Our true concern is the board dealing in a secret meeting on spending $8.8 million. The law SEEMS clear that a certified current appraisal is required. When justification could there be to not have it appraised?

http://collegecompletion.chronicle.com/state/#state=id&sector=public_two

CWI certainly has by far the worst record. Not sure if it’s just a crappy school or if it’s just new or if they are making promises to students that they can’t keep. I do agree that higher education has become a money grab at the expense of many students and taxpayers. I guess I will have to think hard about $200 million with a questionable record. The Statesman is obviously on board. Big article today.

Having said that, I get concerned when I read about “useless degrees” at universities. I think that a well rounded education has value for people and society that extends past the ability of a graduate to “cash in.” If we make colleges into trade schools, we will be losing significantly in the number of well rounded citizens.