[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":44,"_46":47,"_48":49,"_50":51,"_52":53,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":59,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":65,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6325705,"mediaKeyId","2332082-a7e57ef745d8db3784f1ed9a165f219c","parentId",2332082,"title","Senate Education approves prior minutes; hears reappointment and executive-director introductions","audioSeconds",0,"startMs",3040000,"endMs","viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2332082-a7e57ef745d8db3784f1ed9a165f219c&start=3040&end=3040","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2332082-a7e57ef745d8db3784f1ed9a165f219c/thumbnail_3040000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6325705/Idaho/Senate-Education-approves-prior-minutes-hears-reappointment-and-executive-director-introductions","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6325705-7c61443f24ef9b16f46717864416556d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771184306&Signature=aA67--lR8C4PsCrfMJLPZb5jW9N9SRqmX6CoPsujEIwLvW1vNrbtMgtAecSuXhFpEqoKgpms3z3ozAgyEBVe9JPLIArQj4O7qKLnob96s0oIO4D6ZwY~3nS4HzG1Ce34wwIwaaYtgmaDlfjlGZKCvexvXJrnoxigf055w59TCAt2Cx5FeRyQCYgWW0~pEE1PQqJo56ppWKzlJuix-YnVpy2Tau6wz-0jWyKAW1ol3OEKH4HTXCc8xGtp4d8aQWQXboRR8vy-Gl7xE6lkz4e7lj1jnHr68KCyLih~CWTGHZBQjjsxc-RDK8La2uBgQRvoFjETjYVCtM853IogpPilHg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Senate of Idaho","date","2025-02-17T00:00:00Z","article","The Senate Education Committee took one formal action and held two reappointment/appointment-related presentations during its session.

Procedural vote: The committee had a motion and second to approve the minutes from Feb. 10, 2025. The committee conducted a voice vote; the chair called for \"aye,\" heard aye responses and declared the motion carried.

Reappointment hearing: Wanda Quinn of Coeur d'Alene met with the committee as a gubernatorial appointee under consideration for reappointment to the State Charter School Commission. Quinn, a former school-board chair and ISBA past president, described her long experience with charter authorization and renewal processes dating to the late 1990s and her work at the University of Idaho on capacity-building programs. Quinn thanked the committee for a one-time appropriation of about $300,000 to support charter-school academic assistance and said the commission is focusing on accountability frameworks and alternative schools; she said the commission has solicited national support to develop a formula for alternative-school needs.

Executive-director introduction: Josh Whitworth, introduced as the governor’s appointee for executive director of the State Board of Education, outlined his Idaho background and administrative experience in state government, including work in the Controller’s office. Whitworth noted he is serving interim duties in Career and Technical Education (CTE) and at the Charter Commission while search processes proceed; he told senators he is relying on strong teams under each office and that leadership hires for the interim roles will be completed \"sooner than later\" but provided no firm timeline.

No committee vote on either appointment was taken at the meeting; senators were told votes would likely occur at a future committee meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Senate Education Meeting February 17, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Senate Education Committee approved minutes from its Feb. 10 meeting, heard a reappointment hearing for Wanda Quinn to the Charter School Commission and received an introduction from Josh Whitworth, nominee for executive director of the State Board of Education.","taxTitle","Education, SENATE, Committees, Legislative, Idaho","taxId",28585,"location","Idaho","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_46":81,"_48":82,"_50":83,"_52":84,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":85,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":86,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6325711,"Blackfoot Charter credits governance overhaul and new facility with drops in discipline and rising test scores",386,2219000,2605000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2332082-a7e57ef745d8db3784f1ed9a165f219c&start=2219&end=2605","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2332082-a7e57ef745d8db3784f1ed9a165f219c/thumbnail_2219000.jpg","/articles/6325711/Idaho/Blackfoot-Charter-credits-governance-overhaul-and-new-facility-with-drops-in-discipline-and-rising-test-scores","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6325711-5e53f364ae2a1986383d064e434abb58/orig.mp4?Expires=1771184306&Signature=RRxHAbDHmnTNx2yeHHzjjMGGqX7xBHJV-CvrAaNDzLxNMJnjJNnbebyMKoI6HE12fge-ohsdNBj3an3q9QlXga0MHyMo9f9VfUyaezn4m5UQnAV2ATChAVC~4YoQZosnSaygb7hxz6HoHkcRr~MhGB36PDZU~eQgssQgY56N5q-M~WeFeMuj81CPpYPqLgyqKE9yPhOUrtDTs7Kabhie929fDQygvG9f3ccYJyL4m4C4uhcRPtravltkn-JYXxL6VMlvLzRMCKF3XJxNNrniYgIch1XvDiBUfifzKAVwLiPBMlYlNrIaVi-uOLRLQnUvZKrE-xVHO25QQS2MM2nrBA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Board member Janelle Hill and Executive Director Craig Girard told the Senate Education Committee that a multi-year, board-led governance overhaul at Blackfoot Charter School produced measurable declines in disciplinary incidents and improvements in academic proficiency.

Hill said the board recognized about five years ago that leadership, academics, behavior systems and facilities were disconnected. The board worked with Idaho School Boards Association consultants and asked administration to develop a corrective plan; the plan included a uniform behavior-management system, new curricula in math, ELA, social studies and science, a professional-development focus, and a rebuilt daily schedule with time for academic intervention.

Girard said the school adopted a multi-tiered system of supports (MTSS) and positive reinforcement strategies, including signage and schoolwide celebrations tied to a “Knights Oath” (Ownership, Attitude, Teamwork, Honor). He said out-of-class consequences, suspensions and related disciplinary measures had \"reduced by nearly 60% just from last year.\" The school also applied for and received a grant through SESTA, Boise State and the State Department of Education to support behavior systems.

Girard described curricular alignment led by a curriculum committee that selected new content materials and improved vertical alignment across grade levels. He said the school obtained private bonding to design and open a new 52,000-square-foot facility in Bingham County that includes a kitchen enabling a child-nutrition program.

On outcomes, Girard reported an increase in IRI (reading benchmark) proficiency of approximately 20% over two years, an ISAT ELA proficiency increase of about 7% since last year, and ISET math proficiency growth of about 6%, with some cohorts showing year-to-year gains up to 40%. He said the district expects further gains as intervention work continues.

Hill and Girard emphasized the board must set direction, provide budgetary support and be willing to hold hard conversations with administration; both said the improvements required buy-in from the entire school team. Committee members asked whether the new facility had affected community participation; administrators said the consolidated, secure facility removed barriers to community involvement.","Blackfoot Charter School told the Senate Education Committee it addressed governance, curriculum, behavior systems and facilities, reporting a nearly 60% drop in out-of-class disciplinary consequences and measurable gains in literacy and math proficiency.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_46":93,"_48":94,"_50":95,"_52":96,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":97,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":98,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6325715,"Lewiston district tells Senate committee community engagement, PLC work support literacy gains; cites special-education funding gap",994,840000,1834000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2332082-a7e57ef745d8db3784f1ed9a165f219c&start=840&end=1834","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2332082-a7e57ef745d8db3784f1ed9a165f219c/thumbnail_840000.jpg","/articles/6325715/Idaho/Lewiston-district-tells-Senate-committee-community-engagement-PLC-work-support-literacy-gains-cites-special-education-funding-gap","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6325715-927924a6021f1cda6c98475c58426939/orig.mp4?Expires=1771184306&Signature=hyZNKFTKMtqgsWDuzUCKBwfhRpKjGzSwaZbL7Jzg2I7V1eIp5RNSiJSjsVaYQaw6S1jih83ts7HDdd2RDKz9torDiKjmF1ZhHLq4E-sZnokAersuyD3H5DAuZn53seD6TRyngNGMtQKhHMxtfT5vrqqT8WmGD0Z5zhC8Q88FCRmVrApDLunkp0178TStf4mwd3S~V0qfZNw5Bcx88bD3-feuC09KX3sMhDwSylSMNM4PN0K8crQjNpnm8SiSXN8JhtXuosQgpbrqv64snXCQe6C3VOHFDa7YVuEANtrvQNOR2e~bFY6SH2D0c0uJwYNT7Hup0sgaI958WXquFylgHQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Lewiston Independent School District No. 1 officials told the Senate Education Committee that a multi-year emphasis on community engagement, professional learning communities and structured literacy instruction has contributed to academic gains and stronger parent partnerships.

Lance Hanson, superintendent of Lewiston Independent School District No. 1, said the district serves about 4,500 students ages 3–21 and employs \"over 800 dedicated employees, 300 certified and 500 classified.\" He described a community-driven strategic plan and said the district earned systemwide Cognia accreditation across elementary, middle and high schools.

Charlotte Kramer, vice president of the Lewiston school board, detailed a deliberate process to involve parents, students and community members in work groups that shape district decisions. Kramer said the work groups improved community satisfaction scores and helped the board explain its rationale to the public.

In questions from senators, Hanson said K–3 literacy work is anchored in Enhanced Core Reading Instruction (research associated with the University of Oregon) and that Lewiston participates in a study with Boston University to expand Tier 3 supports. On K–3 reading rates Hanson reported approximately 70.9% of students read at grade level last year, a figure he described as \"almost 80%\" of students when non-disabled cohorts are considered.

On special education funding, Hanson told the committee the state faces an estimated funding gap of about $80,000,000 for special education statewide and that Lewiston's local gap is about $5,000,000. He said Lewiston's calculation equates to being funded \"approximately about $4,000 per student for special education by the state.\" Committee members pressed for details on funding mechanics; Hanson explained districts are not funded on a per-pupil special-education basis and that his figure derives from unit counts divided by student totals.

Committee members asked about the district's PLC award and Cognia accreditation. Hanson said systemwide accreditation requires a third-party visit, interviews and evaluation against about 30 evidence-based standards and that the process supports strategic planning and community verification of district practices.

The presentation included photographs and survey results showing increased parent satisfaction, and district leaders said they view community partnership as central to meeting the district mission of \"ensuring high levels of learning for all students.\" No formal committee action was taken.","Lewiston Independent School District No. 1 presented its community-driven vision, systemwide Cognia accreditation and K–3 literacy progress to the Senate Education Committee and reported a local special-education funding shortfall.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_46":105,"_48":106,"_50":107,"_52":108,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":109,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":110,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6325718,"Idaho School Boards Association urges stronger legislative partnership to defend public education",589,176000,765000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2332082-a7e57ef745d8db3784f1ed9a165f219c&start=176&end=765","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2332082-a7e57ef745d8db3784f1ed9a165f219c/thumbnail_176000.jpg","/articles/6325718/Idaho/Idaho-School-Boards-Association-urges-stronger-legislative-partnership-to-defend-public-education","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6325718-b93b69f9fa8f83ec8e607e27d158aa00/orig.mp4?Expires=1771184306&Signature=XUKpaFIu09a2OLFqn8w0ToacDIbZdXKlIJ68ZCOFW45SiOBspz6qBdPjY7oQloCFc9sx4kyUizKaSJxTKTnCCj15FGNgV67aBhjkJwcpYlI68HpNHSCHzKWTTSO1lw3U-xv83Bx3kNVzT7d40ny~NSX6t6RMbGJtZl~PRkfE~pOkV3Xrsc3TLryFN~TsM5cyEonTsEzaJUOZzrsugNj28OmTyeQXknbH3TqkMecW7Q27uSVuP3dGZ97D6WmFWvh4K6ql4KjoT05cYaRbK~LPoeLJGGM4aSRT0YzbB3ckajzRY8tdlvt38UFwqU4UFLzlFL6ilD-RfGgBgjPCptEv-Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Brian Piper, president of the Idaho School Boards Association and chair of the Madison School District Board of Trustees, told the Idaho Senate Education Committee that local school boards are essential to governance and oversight of public schools and urged lawmakers to partner with districts to support students statewide.

Piper, who identified himself as a physics professor at BYU–Idaho and a long-serving school board member, said the ISBA brought roughly 200 school board members, administrators and guests to the Capitol to promote a shared agenda of support for public schools. He described local boards as a “sacred trust” that engage communities around a vision for their schools and hold superintendents accountable for student success.

Piper outlined four reasons he said justify a robust defense of public education: schools help sustain civic culture; professional educators apply the latest research on learning; inclusive classrooms benefit all students; and schools produce daily, local successes that communities value. He urged legislators to consider partnership opportunities and to meet ISBA members at a planned lunch the following day.

The remarks mixed broad advocacy and personal reflections on governance. Piper emphasized research-based instruction and criticized approaches that treat education as a consumer transaction measured solely by test scores. He also said districts should integrate students of varied learning needs in the same classrooms, noting current educational law already limits segregation of students with differing needs.

No formal action was taken on Piper’s remarks; they were presented as part of the committee’s scheduled set of school-district and charter presentations.","Brian Piper, president of the Idaho School Boards Association, told the Senate Education Committee that local school boards provide essential governance and urged the legislature to partner with public schools to improve student outcomes and equity.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Senate Education approves prior minutes; hears reappointment and executive-director introductions

Blackfoot Charter credits governance overhaul and new facility with drops in discipline and rising test scores

Lewiston district tells Senate committee community engagement, PLC work support literacy gains; cites special-education funding gap

Idaho School Boards Association urges stronger legislative partnership to defend public education