Ed Board Designs Legislative Panel Cooperation With State Leaders Is Stated Goal Of Committee

The state Board of Education wants to be heard before the Legislature passes laws affecting education, so it will create a committee as an intermediary.

The panel would develop and monitor legislation with state leaders.

Board member Curtis Eaton of Twin Falls will serve as chairman. He said because of legislation handed down to the board in 1994 requiring a rewrite of elementary and secondary rules, a natural step would be to make recommendations on higher education as well.

“And instead of merely delivering recommendations, they would develop those on a coordinated basis (with state leaders),” he said.

The committee also would seek advice from state agencies and educational organizations. It would prepare and deliver to state leaders recommended bills.

Harold Davis of Idaho Falls said if the governor, legislators and the board can get together to discuss issues, it is better than portraying to the public a sense of “division, mistrust or that they just don’t know.”

Darrell Loosle, chief deputy superintendent at the state Department of Education, said the practice has been to carry legislative items to the board for review. The committee would allow the state regents to discuss proposed legislation earlier.

Sen. Gary Schroeder, R-Moscow, chairman of the Senate Education Committee, hopes the committee will increase cohesiveness and promote a long-term vision for education.