Committee advances bill to allow small districts to employ trustees' spouses under pilot

Senators in the Idaho Senate Education Committee voted to print RS 32057, a draft proposal that would allow certain small school districts to employ the spouse of a sitting school trustee while the trustee remains on the board. The motion to print the request bill passed after a brief presentation and no extended debate.

Senator Shippey, who presented RS 32057, said the intent is “to pilot a flexible process by which a small school district, specifically those with a fall student enrollment of 400 or less, could employ the spouse of one of their trustees with said trustee member remaining on the school board.” He told the committee small communities sometimes struggle to fill both board and staff vacancies and that the bill would ease that challenge for roughly 40 districts.

Shippey said the draft includes safeguards intended to protect impartiality: trustees would be required to recuse themselves from board discussions about discipline, pay or other personnel matters affecting their spouse. The bill also would let an employee who is a teacher or pupil services staff remain under contract and would remove the requirement that the district post that position for 60 days each year when rehiring the same person. The draft as presented includes a five-year sunset provision, Shippey said.

Senator Ward Engleking moved to print RS 32057; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote. Committee staff told the sponsor they would follow up to schedule a full hearing on the bill.

The draft, as described to the committee, would not apply to public charter schools. No public testimony was taken on the floor during the brief committee action.

A committee vote to print the request bill does not adopt policy; it releases the draft for drafting of a formal bill and schedules it for a future hearing and possible amendment.