As legislative budget writers question state schools Superintendent Sherri Ybarra this morning, questions have ranged from teacher evaluations to literacy programs to early-childhood education.

Rep. Wendy Horman, R-Idaho Falls, asked Ybarra how her literacy initiative differs from others that have been discussed. Ybarra said it’s still taking shape, but she’s been working with the original creator of Idaho’s IRI, or Idaho Reading Indicator, about updating and improving the test, which she said is “getting on 20 years old.”

Horman told Ybarra, “I want to compliment you on both your budget guiding principles and the principles of your strategic plan,” which she called “a very solid foundation on which to build a budget reqest.”

Rep. Phylis King, D-Boise, asked Ybarra about early-childhood education, noting that when Rep. Hy Kloc, D-Boise, unsuccessfully proposed a pilot program for five school districts, he had lots of interest from districts that wanted to be included. “The rural education centers is exactly where I intend to tackle that question and have a solution for it,” Ybarra responded. “Early learning opportunities should always be an option, and I would never support a mandate for something like that. But that option needs to be available for all of our students.”

Several JFAC members complimented Ybarra on her presentation, including Sen. Sheryl Nuxoll, R-Cottonwood, Rep. John Gannon, D-Boise, and Sen. Jim Guthrie, R-McCammon. Ybarra said, “I spent a lot of time working with folks, and this presentation here this morning is (the result of) a year’s worth” of meeting with many for their input. “I will continue throughout my career to make sure that I will not work in a vacuum,” she said.

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