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Committee Introduces Apprenticeship Proposal to Grow Idaho Superintendents and Principals
Summary
RS 32428, sponsored by Rep. Dale Hawkins, was introduced with a substitute amendment to make the program effective immediately upon passage. The RS would create an apprenticeship pathway aimed principally at recruiting superintendents, particularly in rural districts with current vacancies.
Representative Dale Hawkins, R‑District 2, presented RS 32428, an RS that would establish a registered apprenticeship pathway for district superintendents and principals to expand the pool of Idaho administrators.
The RS targets local recruitment and workforce development: Hawkins said the program borrows the apprenticeship model used for teachers and intends to “grow Idaho people into these positions,” noting the committee’s understanding that about 13 superintendent vacancies existed at the time the RS was filed. Hawkins also said the pathway would generally take an estimated three to four years to complete and that sponsor language would be amended to make the program effective immediately upon passage to allow districts to plan.
Why it matters: Committee members raised questions about whether Idaho lacks credentialed administrators or whether credentialed individuals are choosing not to take administrative positions. Members pressed for clarity on program hours, curriculum, sponsor responsibilities, and whether the proposal duplicated existing apprenticeships for principals.
Representative Hawkins said the program’s ‘‘main focus is superintendents’’ and that the goal is to grow local candidates after several districts reported difficulty recruiting, especially in rural areas. Representative Mathias and Representative Church questioned whether Idaho lacks credentialed administrators or whether the problem is recruitment and retention of licensed administrators; Mathias noted there is already a registered apprenticeship for principals and asked why another program is needed. Hawkins acknowledged outstanding questions and said the association that represents superintendents had not taken a formal position but was not opposed.
Representative Harris offered a substitute motion to introduce RS 32428 with language striking the July 1 effective date and replacing it with language to make the measure effective immediately upon passage; the committee agreed that legislative services (LSO) should use correct statutory phrasing for immediate effect if the RS is introduced. The substitute motion passed on a voice vote with no recorded opposition.
Committee members flagged implementation questions to address at a full hearing: the number of internship hours and curriculum requirements, expectations and accountability for sponsoring LEAs, how the apprenticeship would interact with existing licensure pathways and university programs, and whether the program would address the underlying reasons qualified administrators decline administrative roles. Representative Nelson and others urged clarity around management and fiscal skills expected of superintendent candidates. Hawkins said he would return to the committee with more technical detail at the hearing.
