Newly elected Idaho State Board of Education President Ken Edmunds has issued the following statement on behalf of the board, regarding the settlement reached with the family of slain UI grad student Katy Benoit:

“The settlement announced yesterday between the Benoit family and the University of Idaho was unanimously approved by the State Board of Education. The Board members, individually and collectively, want the family to know we are profoundly sorry for their loss. The Board is thoroughly committed to providing a safe and supportive environment at all of Idaho’s public education institutions.  We appreciate the efforts of the Benoits and the University to focus on the best interests of Idaho students. They deserve all we can do to safeguard their future.”