Idaho’s state Board of Education has announced that its new executive director will be Matt Freeman, now the board’s deputy director and chief fiscal officer. The home-grown pick, chosen after a national search, previously spent nine years with the Legislative Services Office, where he was a budget and policy analyst for the Legislature focusing on higher education. He holds a law degree from the University of Idaho and a bachelor’s degree from Whitworth University. An Idaho native, Freeman is married with two children.

“I am very grateful for the Board's confidence in me to assume this leadership position,” said Freeman.  “I look forward to working with the Board, policymakers, public schools, and colleges and universities to provide high quality educational opportunities for Idaho's students.”

“The board is very pleased that Matt has accepted this position,” said Emma Atchley, state board president. “The board is strongly committed to full implementation of the Task Force’s recommendations and will confidently look to Matt to work with the board to achieve its overall goal of Idaho students being college and career ready. Matt is well-known and respected in Idaho government and will work with all stakeholders to achieve the Board’s goals.”

Freeman will be paid $140,004 a year; Rush made $130,769.

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