Lisa Paulus appears before Senate Education Committee for Public Charter School Commission slot; vote deferred

Lisa Paulus of Jerome appeared before the Idaho Senate Education Committee to introduce herself as a nominee to the Idaho Public Charter School Commission. The committee invited questions from members; no confirmation vote was held at the meeting and members said they would take her recommendation under consideration and likely vote at the next meeting.

Paulus told the committee she grew up in Post Falls, graduated from Idaho State University with a degree in political science and has a background in broadcast sales and management. She said she has served on the board of the Magic Valley Boys & Girls Club for about 17 years and on its executive board for roughly 15 years, and described working with youth as central to her interest in the commission seat. "I do not have a huge educational background, but I have a big background in helping children," Paulus said.

Senator Cook asked Paulus what her biggest asset would be if she served on the commission. Paulus answered that her strongest qualifications are in management and business, saying, "I'm a good decision maker and I'm a good manager." Senator Cook followed by asking about priorities; Paulus said she is new to the commission but emphasized communication and negotiation as tools she would use to bridge friction between charter and traditional public schools.

Senator Ward Engelking asked whether Paulus, given her Boys & Girls Club experience, would prioritize meeting the needs of students who require additional resources. Paulus said that work with the Boys & Girls Club gives her experience with students who have extra needs, and said, "I sincerely believe each child, each individual needs to be looked at as a person, and I believe that each person learns a different way, and each person has different interests." She said the legislation enacted last year "went a very, very long ways to making everything for charter schools much easier," and that staying that course and improving where possible would be among her goals.

Chair (Senate Education Committee) told Paulus the committee would take her recommendation under consideration and probably hold a vote at its next meeting. Paulus thanked the committee for the opportunity to appear.

No formal action on the nomination was recorded in the transcript.

Ending: The committee did not vote on the nomination at this session and said it expects to consider the nomination again at its next meeting.