Idaho’s Sherri Ybarra keeping low profile

BOISE – Sherri Ybarra says she’s staying mum on all things budget, policy and staffing until she’s sworn into office Jan. 5.

The recently elected Republican is in the middle of transitioning to become Idaho’s next superintendent of public instruction. Ybarra narrowly defeated Democratic opponent Jana Jones in the November election.

Ybarra told the Associated Press on Wednesday that it would be inappropriate to discuss changes she’s considering, because current state Superintendent Tom Luna is still in office.

“We are going to move forward. I understand that people want something different,” said Ybarra, who is a school administrator and former teacher from Mountain Home. “My administration will be different.”

Ybarra declined to answer, however, what the differences would be.

Despite facing an increase of attention due to her political inexperience, Ybarra has given only a handful of media interviews since winning in November’s election.

Ybarra defended her low profile by stressing that she’s on a “silent tour” and focusing on gathering input from lawmakers and staffers. She also collected a 16-member transition team made up of legislators and educators led by former Republican Superintendent Jerry Evans.

“I did a lot of talking on the campaign,” she said. “Now it’s time to listen.”

Along the campaign trail, Ybarra repeated she wouldn’t make authoritative decisions about the state’s public education budget – which makes up more than 60 percent of Idaho’s general fund – until she was in office and had time to review it herself.

On Jan. 28, Ybarra must present her budget proposal to Idaho’s Joint Finance Appropriations Committee, considered one of the most powerful committees in the Statehouse.