Ybarra has big challenges ahead; educators reach out to her

The leaders of Idaho’s three most powerful education groups sent Sherri Ybarra a letter Wednesday morning inviting her to their next meeting, Idaho Education News reports. The letter, sent just hours after Ybarra won a tight race to become Idaho’s next state superintendent of public instruction, was from the Idaho School Boards Association, the Idaho Education Association, and the Idaho Association of School Administrators.

The longtime leaders of the groups representing trustees, teachers, principals and superintendents said they don’t know Ybarra very well, and they don’t want to wait to start changing that. “We look forward to working with her and hope to see her soon,” said Karen Echeverria, ISBA executive director. “I don’t know her very well at all.” Idaho EdNews reporter Jennifer Swindell has a full report here .

Also, Idaho Statesman reporter Bill Roberts has a report today on the challenges that will await Ybarra when she takes office in January, from a controversial tiered licensure proposal for teachers to school funding, student testing and more. School district superintendents from around the state told Roberts that Ybarra needs to get up to speed very quickly. “Every day counts now,” said Don Coberly, the Boise School District superintendent. Roberts’ full report is online here , headlined, “State school chief Ybarra’s to-do list is long, urgent.” Roberts reported that Ybarra declined a request for an interview Wednesday for the article, and spokeswoman Melinda Nothern said she was taking time off to be with her family.