“The biggest part of this bill will identify the top-performing teachers in the state who are leaders in their school, mentors to their colleagues, and who are in assignments where they do the greatest good for the kids that are in the most need,” said the bill’s sponsor, Sen. Lincoln Fillmore, R-South Jordan.

Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy urged lawmakers late Tuesday to pass his pilot program that would pay teachers bonuses of up to $15,000 a year, pitching it as an investment in the classroom, even as education leaders say a more significant investment in the state’s K12 public school system is needed.

In the middle of the noise and the drama and tension, it's the students being impacted after spending nine days out of the classroom with the teacher strike reaching a breaking point. They're dealing with learning loss, disrupted routines, and major uncertainty.

"This is ridiculous. The adults need to do their job and get the kids back in school," said resident Fran Yerardi, whose child graduated from Newton schools last year.

During a recent conversation with Savannah Morning News, Watts said, “Had I known attendance was as dismal as it was, I would have said we have to fix attendance first…we can't teach the kids if they don't come to school.”

The fuel savings are a benefit, the buses are not as noisy, and they align with the community-wide focus on clean energy. But the electric buses can’t be used on out-of-town trips because of limited charging options in rural areas, one superintendent says.

The new initiative will be unveiled Thursday in an event for school principals with first lady Jill Biden and Education Secretary Miguel Cardona. Also participating will be Stefanie Feldman, who runs the White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention.

Darryl George, 18, has not been in his regular classroom in Barbers Hill High School in Mont Belvieu since Aug. 31. Instead, he has either been serving in-school suspension or spending time in an off-site disciplinary program.