Cheers: Ybarra Rides To Rescue
In his latest Cheers & Jeers column, Opinion Editor Marty Trillhaase offers cheers ... to Idaho state schools Superintendent Sherri Ybarra. Give her credit for this much: She has surrounded herself with a talented staff. Among them are her interim chief deputy Pete Koehler, who earlier pulled the Nampa School District out of a deep financial hole, and her chief technology officer, William Goodman, who had been director of technology at Mountain Home and president of the Idaho Education Technology Association. That's in stark contrast to Ybarra's predecessor, Tom Luna, who prized political acumen above all else. With Gov. C.L. (Butch) Otter's mismanagement, the $60 million Idaho Education Network is in tatters. Legislative budget-writers turned to Ybarra's office to resuscitate broadband for the schools. Goodman's technical skill and knowledge of the classroom earned him credibility with lawmakers/Marty Trillhaase, Lewiston Tribune. More here.