The state Board of Education met today, and voted unanimously to endorse the education budget and initiatives Gov. Butch Otter outlined in his State of the State address this afternoon. Board President Don Soltman said in a statement, “Today, Gov. Otter outlined education initiatives to build out a kindergarten to career education system that empowers Idaho students with the knowledge, skills and abilities to enter the workforce, be successful and grow our state. The goal of the state Board of Education is for every Idahoan age 25 to 34 to have a postsecondary certificate or degree by the year 2020, and Gov. Otter’s proposal will help make that goal a reality.”

He added, “The board is very supportive of Gov. Otter’s focus on higher education to complement our ongoing investment in elementary and secondary education. An intentional focus on a strong education system, kindergarten through career, is critical to reaching our 60% goal.”