Committee hears from Wallace Hedrick on charter commission role; emphasizes support for struggling charters

The Senate Education Committee heard from Wallace Hedrick of Eagle, Idaho, who introduced himself as a 41‑year West Ada School District employee and former Meridian Technical Charter High School staff member and discussed his goals if confirmed to the Idaho Public Charter School Commission.

Hedrick told the committee the commission should help struggling charters by connecting them with training, exposing boards to resources and providing assistance on financial or academic problems and enrollment decline. "We'd find ways for them to be helped to provide training for their boards, to expose them to the opportunity to resolve some of their challenging issues," Hedrick said. He said high‑achieving charters should be able to earn longer renewals while those that struggle should receive targeted support.

Senators asked about the commission's role in promoting collaboration between charter schools and traditional school districts. Hedrick said he believed charters and districts should "sit down and trade ideas," and he highlighted internship programs at technology charters that, he said, led some students to full‑time employment after graduation.

Committee members did not vote on Hedrick's nomination at the hearing; Hedrick answered questions about his background, service and views on evolving authorizer responsibilities and the committee indicated it would follow up as part of its appointment process.