Arrow-right Camera
The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Eye On Boise

Luna offers transition access to whichever candidate wins, Jones or Ybarra

Tom Luna, Idaho state superintendent of schools, is making an offer to both of the candidates vying to succeed him: The day after the election, he’s offering an office next to his to whichever one is elected to allow the next superintendent to start the transition. “They can be here every day, they can attend senior staff meetings with me, go to meetings with the governor and legislators,” Luna said. “I have positions I’ve not filled. If they want to identify candidates to fill those positions, I’ll hire them. I want this transition to be very smooth. I think that’s what’s best for education, and once the people of Idaho have spoken, let’s move forward.”

Luna, a Republican, said his offer applies equally to both candidates: Democrat Jana Jones, and Republican Sherri Ybarra. “They’ll kind of get a couple months under their belt, knowing who’s at the department, have the beginnings of a working relationship with the governor and Legislature and other stakeholders,” Luna said. “I think that would be very valuable, to have a very smooth transition so that we can keep education moving in the right direction.”



Betsy Z. Russell
Betsy Z. Russell joined The Spokesman-Review in 1991. She currently is a reporter in the Boise Bureau covering Idaho state government and politics, and other news from Idaho's state capital.

Follow Betsy online: