Ed board voids policy vote to quell transparency concerns

Idaho’s State Board of Education convened for a second time this week after facing criticism for making significant decisions regarding teacher evaluations and dual-credit options without properly alerting the public.

Board president Emma Atchley said that the board didn’t violate Idaho’s open meeting laws when members met Monday. However, Atchley said members agreed to meet again on Friday to be more transparent.

The board was criticized for releasing a vague agenda that did not alert the public that the panel would be addressing bill proposals to be submitted to the Idaho Legislature in 2017.

On Friday, the board voided their Monday decision. The board then agreed to back a bill proposal that would increase penalties involving false teacher evaluation data, but they rejected a proposal that would have tightened dual-credit options.