VanOrden named to Public Charter School Commission

Idaho State Representative Julie VanOrden of Pingree has been named to a post on the Idaho Public Charter School Commission. House Speaker Scott Bedke announced the appointment Tuesday.

As a three-term representative of Legislative District 31, VanOrden is chair of the House Education Committee. She will leave the legislature later this year.

Prior to her time in the legislature, VanOrden served 10 years on the Snake River School District Board of Trustees. Since 2015, she has also served as Idaho Commissioner for the Education Commission of the States.

“I’m excited about this appointment and I feel like my experience working with charter schools both in the legislature and at the local level will be of value to the Charter School Commission,” VanOrden said. “We’ve worked hard to ensure performance and accountability for charters and all public schools. As a member of the Charter Commission, I look forward to seeing those measures in action.”

VanOrden will serve a four-year term on the Public Charter School Commission.