>> PRESENTATION OF "IDAHO REPORTS" ON IDAHO PUBLIC TELEVISION IS MADE POSSIBLE THROUGH THE GENEROUS SUPPORT OF THE LAURA MOORE CUNNINGHAM FOUNDATION, COMMITTED TO FULFILLING THE MOORE AND BETTIS FAMILY LEGACY OF BUILDING THE GREAT STATE OF IDAHO, BY THE FRIENDS OF IDAHO PUBLIC TELEVISION, AND BY THE CORPORATION FOR PUBLIC BROADCASTING.

>> IDAHO IS ON TRACK TO HAVE $1.6 BILLION IN SURPLUS.

THAT IS BILLION, WITH A B. BTWEEN TAX REFORM AND PUBLIC EDUCATION, THERE ARE A LOT OF EYES ON THAT MONEY.

I'M MELISSA DAVLIN.

"IDAHO REPORTS" STARTS NOW.

>> HELLO AND WELCOME TO "IDAHO REPORTS".

THIS WEEK, SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION SHERRI YBARRA JOINS US TO DISCUSS STAFF SHORTAGES AND HER 2022 LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES.

THEN, MIGUEL LEGARETTA, PRESIDENT OF THE ASSOCIATED TAXPAYERS OF IDAHO, TALKS ABOUT THIS YEAR'S CONFERENCE AND WHAT WE MIGHT SEE FROM THE UPCOMING LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

BUT FIRST, SOME SHAKE-UPS IN THE LEGISLATURE.

THIS WEEK, SENATE PRESIDENT PRO TEM CHUCK WINDER ANNOUNCED THAT SENATOR STEVE BAIR IS TAKING A LEAVE OF ABSENCE.

ACCORDING TO THE "IDAHO CAPITAL SUN" NAMPA SENATOR JEFF AGENBROAD WILL SERVE AS THE NEW CO-CHAIR OF THE JOINT FINANCE AND APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE, AND SENATOR CARL CRABTREE OF GRANGEVILLE IS THE NEW VICE CHAIR.

FORMER REPRESENTATIVE JULIE VAN ORDEN WILL FILL IN FOR SENATOR BAIR THIS SESSION.

>> ON FRIDAY, GOVERNOR BROWN ANNOUNCED MUFFY LITTLE.

THIS WILL BE THE SECT DEMOCRAT HE WILL HAVE APPOINTED TO THE LEGISLATURE THIS FALL.

IN LATE NOVEMBER HE TAPPED SEMMELROTH TO REPLACE ABI RABE.

>>> ON TUESDAY, THE COMMISSION OF PARDONS AND PAROLE HELD A CLEMENCY HEARING FOR GERALD PIZZUTO JR., PIZZUTO IS ON THE DEATH ROW FOR THE 1984 MURDERS OF DEL AND BERTA HERNDON.

HIS ATTORNEYS ARGUED HIS SENTENCE SHOULD BE COMMUTED TO LIFE IN PRISON AS PIZZUTO IS TERMINALLY ILL AND WILL LIKE LIE DIE A NATURAL DEATH SOON.

THEY ALSO POINTED TO PIZZUTO'S LOW IQ AND TRAUMATIC CHILDHOOD THAT RESULTED IN BRAIN INJURIES.

THE COMMISSION DELIBERATED PRIVATELY ON WEDNESDAY AND CONTINUED THOSE DELIBERATIONS ON FRIDAY.

IT ISN'T YET CLEAR WHEN THEIR RECOMMENDATION TO THE GOVERNOR WILL BECOME PUBLIC.

WATCH THE "IDAHO REPORTS" BLOG FOR MORE.

>>> ON WEDNESDAY AT THE ASSOCIATED TAXPAYERS OF IDAHO CONFERENCE, GOVERNOR LITTLE SAID THAT TAX CUTS WILL BE AT THE TOP OF HIS PRIORITY LIST THIS UPCOMING LEGISLATIVE SESSION, AS LAWMAKERS GRAPPLE WITH HOW TO SPEND A $1.6 BILLION SURPLUS.

AS WELL AS AN INFLUX OF FEDERAL FUNDS.

THIS COMES AS SCHOOL DISTRICTS THIS COMES AS SCHOOL DISTRICTS ACROSS THE STATE CONTINUE TO STRUGGLE WITH STAFF AND SUBSTITUTE SHORTAGES.

SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION SHERRI YBARRA JOINED ME FRIDAY TO DISCUSS THOSE STAFFING CHALLENGES AS WELL AS THE UPCOMING LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

FULL DISCLOSURE, IDAHO PUBLIC TELEVISION IS UNDER THE UMBRELLA OF THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION, ON WHICH THE SUPERINTENDENT SITS.

THANKS FOR JOINING US, SUPERINTENDENT YBARRA, I WANT TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT SUBSTITUTE TEACHER AND STAFF SHORTAGES.

WHAT ARE YOU HEARING IN DISTRICTS?

>> EVERYBODY IS BEING HIT BY SUBSTITUTE TEACHERS.

PARA TEACHERS WHO HELP IN MATH WORKSHOP OR READING INTERVENTION TIME, FOLKS ON THE PLAYGROUND TO KEEP KIDS SAFE, YOUR CAFETERIA WORKERS, YOUR BUS DRIVERS.

THEY ARE SEEING SHOTTAGES ACROSS THE BOARD AND TRYING TO FIND CREATIVE WAYS TO PLUG THOSE HOLES.

IT HAS BEEN DIFFICULT FOR DISTRICT DISTRICTS.

IT DEPENDS ON THE THEY ARE HAVING A HIGH VIRUS TRANSMISSION, HOME TEACHERS ARE OUT.

MAYBE IT IS A DISTRICT WITH A LOW VIRUS TRANSMISSION, BUT EVERYBODY IS SEEING THE SUBSTITUTE TEACHER SHORTAGE AND PARA TEACHER ARE AFFECTED IN DIFFERENT WAYS.

>> WHAT AREAS ARE THERE ESPECIALLY ACUTE?

>> IT DEPENDS ON WHETHER THEY ARE SEEING A HIGH VIRUS TRANSMISSION OR IF THEY ARE NOT.

I THINK THAT REALLY MAKES A DIFFERENCE IN WHO IS BEING AFFECTED AT WHAT TIME.

SO IT JUST DEPENDS.

>> I KNOW THE STATE HAS REALLY TRIED TO ENCOURAGE STATE EMPLOYEES TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF INCENTIVES TO BE SUBSTITUTE TEACHERS AND IS THAT MOSTLY IN THE TREASURE VALLEY?

>> IT IS TOO EARLY TO TELL IF IT IS HAVING AN IMPACT BECAUSE THAT MONEY WAS UNTIL DECEMBER 15th.

IT IS TOO EARLY TO TELL THE IMPACT ON THOSE FUNDS.

THE OTHER THING IS, YOU KNOW, THERE'S SOME ROADBLOCKS BEHIND JUST GIVING THE MONEY.

SO THE MONEY WAS GREAT AND APPLAUD GOVERNOR LITTLE FOR DOING THAT FOR EDUCATION, BUT THE THINGS DISTRICTS ARE FACING ARE, YOU KNOW, YOU STILL HAVE TO BE FINGERPRINTED, YOU STILL HAVE TO PASS A BACKGROUND CHECK AND TRAINED.

WHEN YOU ARE FINGERPRINTED AND PASSING A BACKGROUND CHECK AND BY ALL MEANS DO I WANT TO SEE EVERYBODY WHO IS GOING TO BE INVOLVED IN OUR KIDS BACKGROUND CHECKED AND FINGERPRINTED.

I WANT TO MAKE THAT CLEAR.

BUT THAT IS A PROCESS.

IT TAKES A WHILE.

WHEN THE MONEY WAS APPROPRIATED IN OCTOBER, YOU HAVE SEVERAL MORE WEEKS FOR THOSE PEOPLE WHO VOLUNTEERED TO GET FINGERPRINTS AND PASS A BACKGROUND CHECK AND THEY HAVE TRAIN.

THERE WAS A SHORT TURN AROUND TIME FOR DISTRICTS TO ACCESS THAT MONEY.

BUT IT ABSOLUTELY HAS BEEN VERY HELPFUL AND IT IS TOO EARLY TO TELL HOW MUCH HAS BEEN ACCESSED BECAUSE OF ALL THE WAYS IT CAN BE SPENT AND THE FACT THAT DISTRICTS ARE STILL WORKING THROUGH TRAINING SOME OF THE FOLKS WHO STEPPED UP TO THE PLATE NOW.

I STEPPED OUT TO SUBSTITUTE TEACH AS WELL AS SEVERAL MEMBERS OF MY STAFF WHO HAVE STEPPED OUT TO SUBSTITUTE TEACH AS WELL.

SOME OTHER AGENCIES HAVE HAD A CONVERSATION WITH ME, GOVERNOR LITTLE DID HAVE A PROGRAM WHERE STATE EMPLOYEES COULD ALSO EARN VACATION DAYS IF THEY STEPPED UP TO THE PLATE AS PART OF THE PUBLIC TO HELP FILL THOSE GAPS IN THE SUBSTITUTE TEACHER SHORTAGE WE ARE SEEING.

OTHER STATE AGENCIES ARE EXPERIENCING WHAT MY AGENCY AND WHAT THE EDUCATION IS FEELING WHICH IS A WORKER SHORTAGE.

THE EDUCATION FIELD IS NOT IMMUNE.

OTHER STATE AGENCIES ARE SAYING, I WOULD LOVE TO HELP BUT I DON'T HAVE THE PEOPLE EITHER.

IT HAS BEEN HELPFUL, BUT IT IS TOO EARLY TO TELL HOW MUCH OF THE MONEY AND HOW MUCH WILL BE USED BY THE DECEMBER 15th DEADLINE.

>> LET'S TALK ABOUT THE IMPACT ON STUDENTS.

AS THIS RESULTED IN SCHOOL DISTRICTS SHUTTING DOWN FOR A LITTLE BIT BECAUSE THEY CAN'T FIND PEOPLE TO COME TEACH?

HOW IS IT AFFECTING THEIR EDUCATION?

>> SURE IT HAS.

YEAH.

DISTRICTS HAVE CLOSED BECAUSE THEY COULDN'T FIND BUS DRIVERS OR DIDN'T HAVE ENOUGH SUBSTITUTES FOR THE DAY.

I DON'T KNOW IF YOU HEARD.

I HAVE A STUDENT ADVISORY COUNCIL WITH REPRESENTATIVES FROM ALL OVER THE STATE.

I'M ABOUT TO MEET THEM AGAIN ON MONDAY.

I THOUGHT THEY WERE INTERESTED IN ALL THINGS COVID, WHILE THEY TALKED ABOUT IT A LITTLE BIT, THAT WASN'T THEIR TOP PRIORITY.

THEY DID MENTION THE SUBSTITUTE TEACHER SHORTAGE AND HOW IT IS AFFECTING THEM.

A FEW OF THEM GAVE EXAMPLES OF HOW IT IS AFFECTING THEIR PEERS.

IF YOU HAVE THREE THIRD GRADE TEACHERS AND ONE IS OUT, THEY WILL SPLIT THAT CLASS UP AND GIVE HALF TO ONE TEACHER AND HALF TO THE OTHER TEACHER UNTIL THEIR TEACHER COMES BACK.

THAT IS ONE EXAMPLE THEY SHARED WITH ME.

ANOTHER EXAMPLE GETTING DOWN TO THE STUDENT LEVEL IS THE TRANSPORTATION SHORTAGE OF BUS DRIVERS.

SO YOU MIGHT HAVE BUSES PICKING STUDENTS UP IN SHIFTS AND I HAVE HEARD THAT, TOO.

KIDS ARE STANDING AROUND LONGER AT THE END OF THE DAY WAITING FOR THEIR SHIFT TO GET PICKED UP TO BE TAKEN HOME.

AGAIN, I UNDERSTAND WHY THE GOVERNOR GAVE MONEY TO EDUCATION TO HELP FILL THOSE GAPS AND I APPLAUD HIM AND I ALSO WROTE A LETTER TO THE GOVERNOR TO MAKE SURE THAT HE UNDERSTOOD I WANTED TO ASK FOR BONUSES FOR OUR TEACHERS IN HIS FEDERAL CORONAVIRUS RELIEF FUNDS.

I ASKED FOR $1,000 FOR EACH TEACHER TO BOOST AND INCENTIVIZE FOR THEIR EFFORTS THROUGH THIS PANDEMIC.

SO IT HAS BEEN, YOU KNOW, AFFECTING OUR STUDENTS AND I DO KNOW THAT FOLKS ARE DOING EVERYTHING THEY CAN TO HELP PLUG THAT GAP.

>> AND WE'VE HEARD SO MUCH ABOUT TEACHER PAY AND FOR GOOD REASON, BUT SCHOOLS CAN'T OPERATE WITHOUT THE SUPPORT STAFF YOU MENTIONED.

I'M THINKING, OF COURSE, OF THE KITCHEN STAFF AND THE BUS DRIVERS AND CUSTODIANS.

YOU KNOW, SOME WAGES ARE VERY LOW, YOU KNOW, FOR A SUBSTITUTE TEACHER FOR A LOT OF DISTRICTS THEY ARE IN THE $11 TO $12 RANGE FOR A CERTIFIED TEACHER.

HOW MUCH DISCUSSION IS THERE ABOUT RAISING PAY FOR THE SUPPORT STAFF AND THE SUBSTITUTES FOR THEM AS WELL?

>> THERE HAS BEEN A LOT OF DISCUSSION AROUND THAT.

AND THAT IS WHY YOU WILL SEE IN MY UPCOMING BUDGET REQUEST, THAT WE IMPROVE THE AMOUNT OF MONEY THAT THE STATE GIVES FOR DISTRICTS TO PAY FOR THEIR PARAEDUCATORS.

THAT IS WHY YOU SEE THE ASK IN THERE FOR SOMETHING WE EDUCATORS CALL THE CAREER LADDER, WHICH IS MAKING SURE THAT WE KEEP THAT ALIVE AND WELL.

THAT IS TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC, THAT JUST MEANS SCHEDULED RAISES FOR OUR TEACHERS.

YOU'LL SEE BOTH OF THOSE IN MY BUDGET ASK.

THAT IS WHY THE GOVERNOR GAVE THAT $10 MILLION TO HELP RAISE THE PAY FOR SUBSTITUTES AND FOR PARAEDUCATORS.

I ENCOURAGE DISTRICTS TO USE THAT MONEY FOR THAT REASON.

SO IT IS GOING TO TAKE A VARIETY OF OUT OF THE BOX THINKING IDEAS TO REALLY ADDRESS THIS ISSUE, BUT THERE ARE SOME THINGS THAT WE ARE DOING TO HELP IMPROVE PAY FOR EDUCATORS AND PARAEDUCATORS.

LIKE I SAID, I DID WRITE THE GOVERNOR A LETTER ASKING HIM FOR BONUSES FOR TEACHERS AS WELL.

WE WANT TO KEEP THOSE GOOD FOLKS IN THE CLASSROOM AND REWARD THEM.

LIKE YOU SAID, OUR PARAEDUCATORS, OUR BUS DRIVERS, SUPPORT STAFF, CAFETERIA WORKERS, SCHOOL DISTRICTS ARE COMPETING WITH PLACES LIKE AMAZON AND McDONALD'S WHO CAN PAY THEM MORE.

WE HAVE TO WORK TO MAKE SURE WE ARE OFFERING A FAIR WAGE TO THOSE FOLKS SO THEY WANT TO STAY IN THE CLASSROOM AND HELP OUR STUDENTS ACHIEVE.

>> A LOT OF THE PRIVATE BUSINESSES YOU MENTIONED START AT AT LEAST $15 AN HOUR FOR ENTRY LEVEL POSITIONS.

>> RIGHT.

>> AND IF A SUBSTITUTE TEACHER IS MAKING $11 AN HOUR, $95 A DAY IN A LOT OF THESE DISTRICTS, IS THAT CAREER LADDER AND ARE THOSE PAY RAISES YOU PROPOSED, IS THAT GOING TO BE ENOUGH TO ADDRESS THAT GAP IN PAY?

>> THAT IS WHY THE GOVERNOR GAVE, LIKE I SAID, THE $10 MILLION FOR DISTRICTS TO USE FOR MAKING SURE THEY CAN OFFER MORE TO THOSE FOLKS WHO STEP UP TO THE PLATE AND SUBSTITUTE IN WHATEVER POSITION THAT MIGHT BE.

IT DOESN'T NECESSARILY HAVE TO BE A PERSON WHO IS CERTIFIED.

IT CAN BE A CAFETERIA WORKER, A BUS DRIVER.

OFFERING THEM MORE.

THE CAREER LADDER, WHAT I HAVE HEARD FROM EDUCATORS IS IT IS A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

THEY CAN SEE THEIR RAISES ARE SCHEDULED AND WHAT THEY ARE GOING TO GET.

THEY ARE SUPPORTIVE OF THE CAREER LADDER AND I KNOW THAT WE -- THE CAREER LADDER IS SOMETHING THAT EDUCATORS WANT TO KEEP IN PLACE.

>> I ALSO WANT TO ASK YOU ABOUT IDAHO BEING ON TRACK TO HAVE A $1.6 BILLION SURPLUS.

YOU SUBMITTED YOUR FISCAL YEAR 2023 BUDGET REQUEST A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO NOW.

WHEN IT COMES TO EDUCATION, WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE THAT MONEY BEING SPENT ON AND HOW HAS THAT CHANGED NOW YOU KNOW IDAHO HAS MORE MONEY THAN WE ANTICIPATED?

>> I WANT THAT MONEY SPENT ON ALL OF MY PRIORITIES WITH EDUCATION.

I KNOW REALISTICALLY I HAVE TO SHARE THE CHECKBOOK, THE FAMILY CHECKBOOK WITH THE ENTIRE STATE OF IDAHO.

I HAD SOME BIG ASKS, ONE IS ALL-DAY OPTIONAL KINDERGARTEN, $39 MILLION.

OPTIONAL BECAUSE SOME DISTRICTS MIGHT ALREADY BE DOING IT AND OPTIONAL BECAUSE MAYBE SOME PARENT DOESN'T WANT TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THAT.

I HAVE HEARD FROM ADMINISTRATORS, THEY DONE HAVE THE ROOM TO HAVE ALL-DAY KINDERGARTEN.

IT IS FOR AT-RISK STUDENTS AND IT IS A START.

I THINK IT IS A GREAT WAY TO SEE HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE GOING TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF IT, TO SEE WHAT PARENTS ARE INTERESTED IN IT, AND AT-RISK STUDENTS, BECAUSE AS A FORMER THIRD GRADE TEACHER, WHEN A CHILD GOT TO ME IN THIRD GRADE WITH A LEARNING GAP, I KNEW BY THEN THE CHANCES OF CLOSING THAT LEARNING GAP SWUZ SLIM TO NONE.

WE WANT TO GET THOSE KIDS EARLY BEFORE THEY GET TO THIRD GRADE.

THAT IS WHY WE ARE OFFERING IT TO OUR AT-RISK STUDENTS AND IT IS OPTIONAL.

THE OTHER THING WE WANT IS FOR PARENTS TO BE INVOLVED.

I HEARD FROM LEGISLATURES THEY WANT A PARENTAL PIECE IN THIS ALL-DAY KINDERGARTEN.

I WILL WORK WITH THE LEGISLATURE ON THAT PIECE OF LEGISLATION.

THE OTHER THING YOU WILL SEE IN MY BUDGET ASK BECAUSE OF THE SURPLUS IS THE ADVANCED OPPORTUNITY PROGRAMS.

FOR PEOPLE WATCHING, THAT IS KIDS EARNING CREDITS WHILE THEY ARE STILL IN HIGH SCHOOL, TOWARDS COLLEGE.

ONE OF THE THINGS MY STUDENT ADVISORY COUNCIL WAS INTERESTED IN WHEN WE MET WAS MAKING SURE ADVANCED OPPORTUNITIES STAYED IN PLACE BECAUSE THEY UNDERSTOOD THAT IS ONE OF THE WAYS STUDENTS FEEL SUCCESSFUL, IT ENGAGES THEIR PEER, IT IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO SEE IF THEY ARE READY FOR COLLEGE CLASSES.

AND IT IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR STUDENTS TO REACH FOR THE STARS.

WE OFTEN TALK ABOUT DURING THIS PANDEMIC, LEARNING LOSS, BUT HOW ARE WE CHALLENGING KIDS?

ADVANCED OPPORTUNITIES IS ONE OF THE WAYS WE CAN DO NA.

SO READING, LITERACY IS VERY IMPORTANT TO ME AS A FORMER THIRD GRADE TEACHER.

YOU WILL SEE A CONTINUED ASK FOR FUNDING IN THE BUDGET FOR THAT.

MY TEAM HAS BEEN WORKING VERY HARD ON THIS NEXT TOPIC, WHICH IS DYSLEXIA, AND THAT IS ONE OF THE THINGS MY STUDENT ADVISORY COUNCIL, WAS ONE OF THEIR PRIORITIES.

I REALLY THOUGHT IT WAS GOING TO BE COVID, BUT IT WAS DYSLEXIA, THEY SAID, SUPERINTENDENT YBARRA, WE NEED TO HELP OUR PEERS STRUGGLING WITH DYSLEXIA.

A LOT OF PEERING OR SIBLINGS HAVE DYSLEXIA.

MY DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN WORKING ON A HANDBOOK.

THAT IS WHY WE ADOPTED THE IDAHO READING INDICATOR FOUR YEARS AGO BECAUSE IT HAS A PIECE TO HELP TEACHERS FIND OUT IF A KID IS STRUGGLING WITH DYSLEXIA.

SO YOU MIGHT SEE SOME LEGISLATION COME OUT OF MY DEPARTMENT THIS YEAR AROUND DYSLEXIA AS WELL.

SO THOSE ARE SOME OF THE TOP PRIORITIES AND, OF COURSE, CLOSING THAT GAP FOR OUR PARAEDUCATORS AND THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN WHAT THE STATE GIVES THE DISTRICT AND WHAT THE DISTRICT CAN PAY.

YOU WILL SEE US WORKING ON THAT PAY FOR PARAEDUCATORS AS WELL.

I'M EXCITED WE HAVE A SURPLUS AND BEING EDUCATION IS A LOT OF LEGISLATORS' FOCUS AS WELL AS THE GOVERNOR'S, I'M EXCITED GOING INTO THIS SESSION TO SEE WHAT WE CAN DO FOR EDUCATION AS A TEAM.

>> I WANT TO EXPAND YOUR ALL DAY KINDERGARTEN.

THAT IS SOMETHING THAT SHOULD BE AN OPTION FOR ALL STUDENTS NOT JUST AT-RISK STUDENTS AS IN YOUR APPROPRIATE PROPOSAL.

WHEN YOU HAVE THE MONEY AND THE EXCITEMENT, WHY NOT GO FOR THE WHOLE THING?

WHY NOT GO FOR THE WHOLE PIECE?

>> IT IS A START.

YOU HAVE TO BE REALISTIC GOING INTO THE LEGISLATURE.

WE HAVE TO SHARE THE FAMILY CHECKBOOK WITH EVERYBODY.

MY BUDGET HAS CAREER LADDERS, ADVANCED OPPORTUNITIES.

SO THIS $39 MILLION IS SIMPLY AN ASK.

WE LOOKED AT OFFERING THAT TO ALL STUDENTS AND THAT APPROXIMATELY $60 MILLION IF EVERYONE WAS TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF IT.

WE WILL LIKELY GET THERE SOMEDAY.

THIS IS THE BEGINNING OF WHAT WE WANT TO DO FOR OUR STUDENTS.

>> DO YOU ANTICIPATE CRITICAL RACE THEORY AND SOCIAL/EMOTIONAL LEARNING AN UNDERCURRENT ABOUT EDUCATION IN THIS LEGISLATIVE SESSION?

>> YES, I DO.

I HAVE SEEN IT ALREADY.

WHAT I HAVE TOLD PARENTS ABOUT CRITICAL RACE THEORY IS IT IS SIMPLY PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT.

WHILE SCHOOLS WERE CLOSED, PARENTS WERE LOOKING OVER THE SHOULDERS OF THEIR STUDENTS AND SOME DIDN'T LIKE WHAT THEY SAW.

CRITICAL RACE THEORY IS HARD TO DEFINE, BUT A LOT OF PARENTS AROUND THE STATE ARE FRIGHTENED.

>> HOW WOULD YOU DEFINE IT?

>> YOU KNOW, I DON'T HAVE A DEFINITION EITHER.

IT IS A PHILOSOPHY.

IT IS SOMETHING AT THE -- USUALLY AT THE HIGHER EDUCATION LEVEL THAT IS TALKED ABOUT.

IT IS USUALLY NOT IN THE K-12 CLASSROOM.

I WON'T SAY IT HAS NEVER HAPPENED.

THERE ARE EXAMPLES OUT THERE.

IT IS SOMETHING PARENTS ARE CONCERNED ABOUT.

I WILL ALWAYS ADVOCATE FOR PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT.

THE RESEARCH IS VERY CLEAR PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT IS THE NUMBER ONE DETERMINATION FOR STUDENT SUCCESS.

WE WANT PARENTS INVOLVED NO MATTER HOW SPIRITED THE DEBATES MIGHT GET AND WHAT SOMEONE'S DEFINITION OF CRITICAL RACE THEORY, WE NEED TO HAVE THE HARD CONVERSATIONS AND PARENTS AT THE TABLE.

>> ARE THERE EXAMPLES IN IDAHO IN THE K-12 SYSTEM?

>> I THINK PARENTS HAVE THEIR IDEAS AND EXAMPLES THEY ARE UNCOMFORTABLE WITH.

THAT IS WHY THEY NEED TO HAVE A CONVERSATION WITH THEIR LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICT.

IT IS A VOCABULARY WORD HERE AND THERE, THE EXAMPLES I SAW, THAT MAKE THEM UNCOMFORTABLE AND HAVING A CONVERSATION WITH THEIR SCHOOL DISTRICT ABOUT WHAT MAKES THEM UNCOMFORTABLE AND WHY AND HOW THEY CAN WORK THROUGH THAT IS THE BEST APPROACH TO THAT MOVING FORWARD.

BUT I HAVE NOT SEEN ANY EXAMPLES OF IDAHO IN ANY OF THE EXAMPLES THAT ARE KIND OF BEING PASSED OUT ACROSS THE NATION.

THERE WAS A STUDY AT HILLSDALE COLLEGE THAT WAS PUBLISHED ABOUT CRITICAL RACE THEORY AND IT GAVE SOME PRETTY EXPLICIT EXAMPLES FROM DIFFERENT STATES.

I DIDN'T SEE IDAHO IN THERE.

I SKIMMED OVER THE ARTICLE.

I DIDN'T SEE IDAHO IN THERE.

I HAVE NOT SEEN IDAHO IN ANY OF THE OTHER EXAMPLES THAT ARE PRETTY HAIR RAISING, THAT WOULD MAKE A PARENT WORRY.

I ALSO WANT TO TELL PARENTS THAT I HAVE BEEN GETTING OUT INTO CLASSROOMS AND TOURING THE STATE.

YOU'VE PROBABLY SEEN THAT IN THE THING I HAVE BEEN DOING IS VISITING GOVERNMENT CLASSES AND HISTORY CLASSES.

I WILL ASK THE TEACHER, DO YOU KNOW WHY I'M HERE?

THEY SAY, YES, I'M HAPPY TO HAVE YOU.

WATCH MY WHOLE LESSON.

THEY HAVE BEEN SURPRISES.

A LOT OF THEM HAVEN'T BEEN PREPLANNED.

THE TEACHERS ARE CUTE, IT IS SO GREAT TO HAVE THE SUPERINTENDENT HERE, BUT IT IS NERVE RACKING.

THE THINGS I SAW WAS THE CONSTITUTION BEING TAUGHT, THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE AND TEACHERS SAYING TO THEIR STUDENTS, IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT ANYTHING, IF YOU WANT TO CHALLENGE ANYTHING, PLEASE DO SO.

I HAVE NOT SEEN CRITICAL RACE THEORY BEING TAUGHT, BUT THERE ARE PARENTS WHO ARE UNCOMFORTABLE WITH IT AND HAVE QUESTIONS.

I ENCOURAGE THEM TO TALK TO THEIR LOCAL SCHOOL BOARD.

>> ARE YOU WORRIED THESE CONVERSATIONS ARE UNDERMINING PUBLIC TRUST IN THE PUBLIC EDUCATION SYSTEM ESPECIALLY AS YOU ARE GETTING READY?

>> WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT THIS FOR YEARS THAT THE RESEARCH IS SUPER CLEAR.

THAT PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT IS THE NUMBER ONE DETERMINATION FOR STUDENT SUCCESS.

WE WANT YOU AT THE TABLE AND I'M ALWAYS GOING TO BE AN ADVOCATE FOR THAT.

AND, YEAH, IT IS ABOUT BUILDING TRUST AND MAKING SURE PARENTS FEEL LIKE THEY HAVE A VOICE AND CAN BE AT THE TABLE AND CAN EXPRESS THEIR VIEWS.

>> WE ARE JUST ABOUT OUT OF TIME, BUT AS YOU TOURED THE STATE, ARE YOU HAPPY WITH WHAT YOU ARE SEEING IN THE SCHOOLS AND IN THE CLASSROOMS?

>> OF COURSE.

WHAT I'M SEEING IS ENTHUSIASTIC HAPPY TEACHERS GLAD TO BE THERE WITH THEIR KIDS.

THE KIDS ARE ENTHUSIASTIC, HAPPY TO BE BACK IN SCHOOL.

SO, YES, I AM PLEASED TO WHAT I'M SEEING AROUND THE STATE.

I WANT TO GIVE A SHOUTOUT TO ALL OF IDAHO EDUCATORS FOR THEIR HARD WORK.

WE HAVE BEEN CONSISTENTLY RANKED AS LOW ACHIEVING IN THE STATE OF IDAHO.

ESPECIALLY BY ED WEEK, THEY HAVE RANKED US IN THE PAST AS 31st FOR ACHIEVEMENT.

RECENTLY OUR RANKING CAME OUT AND IT WAS 17th.

THAT IS A HUGE JUMP AND A CREDIT TO OUR TEACHERS AROUND THE STATE.

A HUGE CONGRATULATIONS TO THEM.

I WANT THEM TO KNOW I WANT TO BE AROUND WHEN YOU MAKE TOP 10.

>> DO YOU IMAGINE THAT WILL COME UP ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL?

>> OH, WELL, WE'LL SEE.

>> SUPERINTENDENT SHERRI YBARRA, THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

>> IT WAS MY PLEASURE.

THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> MIGUEL LEGARETTA IS JOINING ME, PRESIDENT OF THE ASSOCIATED TAXPAYERS OF IDAHO.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

I KNOW YOU HAVE HAD A BUSY WEEK.

YOU HAD A CONFERENCE ON WEDNESDAY THAT BROUGHT TOGETHER A WHOLE BUNCH OF STAKEHOLDERS.

CAN YOU TELL US WHAT THE VALUE IS OF THE ANNUAL ATI CONFERENCES?

>> YES.

THANKS FOR HAVING ME, MELISSA.

I AM A LITTLE TIRED.

IT WAS A BUSY WEEK.

GLAD TO BE HERE WITH YOU.

THE IDEA OF THE CONFERENCE, AND I WILL MAYBE TALK ABOUT THE ASSOCIATED TAXPAYERS OF IDAHO, A NONPARTISAN, NONPROFIT ASSOCIATION FOCUSED ON TAX POLICY AND EDUCATION AND INFORMATION TO THE PUBLIC TO HELP WITH GOOD POLICY.

AND THE ANNUAL CONFERENCE HAS KIND OF BECOME THE UNOFFICIAL KICKOFF TO THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

SO A LOT OF IT IS GETTING OUR MINDS BACK IN THAT FOCUS AND THAT MINDSET AND TIME TO GO, HERE WE ARE.

THIS YEAR IN PARTICULAR, IT WAS INTERESTING, WE'VE ALL COME TOGETHER AGAIN.

WE WERE THERE TOGETHER, MANY OF US.

>> IN PERSON.

>> IN PERSON.

>> INSTEAD OF VIA ZOOM.

>> I HAD BOTH.

THERE WERE A NUMBER OF FOLKS ON ZOOM, TOO.

WE WERE REALLY ABLE TO INTERACT AGAIN.

THE PURPOSE OF IT IS TO GET ALL OF THESE PEOPLE WITH DIFFERENT POLITICAL IDEOLOGIES, WITH DIFFERENT PLACES IN THE STATE, RURAL, URBAN, HAVE GOOD TOPICS AND UTILIZE THOSE TOPICS IN CONVERSATIONS AT THE CONFERENCE AND WHEN WE LEAVE THE CONFERENCE.

>> ONE OF THE THINGS THAT STOOD OUT TO ME ABOUT THIS YEAR'S CONFERENCE WAS A CEO PANEL, TRENDS AND CHALLENGES IN THEIR RESPECTIVE INDUSTRIES.

THE REPRESENTATIVE FROM SIMPLOT SAID RECENTLY THEY TRIED TO RECRUIT A HIGHER LEVEL EFFICIENT FOR THEIR COMPANY FROM CALIFORNIA AND THEY SAID IT WAS TOO EXPENSIVE TO MOVE TO MERIDIAN, IDAHO, THAT IT MADE MORE SENSE FINANCIALLY TO STAY THERE.

IS THAT WHAT YOU ARE HEARING FROM INDUSTRY LEADERS, TOO?

>> THAT IS A SURPRISING COMMENT.

I AM A MERIDIAN HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATE AND I COULD APPRECIATE AND NEVER THOUGHT THOSE WORDS WOULD COME OUT OF THE CEO OF JR SIMPLOT.

IT IS A PROBLEM.

IT IS A WORKFORCE ISSUE FOR THOSE THAT LIVE HERE.

AND IT SUDDENLY HAS BECOME A HIGH-COST AREA IN THE RETENTION AND RECRUITMENT OF PROPERLY TRAINED FOLKS.

EVEN SOMEONE THAT HAS A HIGHER LEVEL POSITION AND YOU THINK THEY COULD AFFORD IT.

WE ARE EVEN SEEING THAT CREATING ISSUES FOR THE STATE AND FOR COMPANIES.

>> I'M CURIOUS, IDAHO IS AT THIS REMARKABLE MOMENT, COST OF LIVING, PROPERTY TAXES, YOU HEARD MANY OF THESE ISSUES AT THE ATI CONVERSATION, BUT WE HAVE THIS AMAZING AMOUNT OF MONEY, $1.6 BILLION IN SURPLUS, FEDERAL FUNDS.

YOU HAVE TENSION FROM BOTH SIDES.

AFTER WHAT YOU SAW THIS WEEK, DO YOU THINK IDAHO AND THE LEGISLATURE ARE WILLING TO MAKE CHANGES TO ADDRESS THOSE ISSUES?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

I KNOW THERE ARE A LOT OF GOOD FOLKS WITH GOOD IDEAS OUT THERE WE'RE ALL GOING TO HAVE A SLIGHT DIFFERENCE OF OPINION ON WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE, BECAUSE THAT IS THE NATURE OF THE PROCESS.

WE ALL KNOW IT IS.

BUT THE CONFERENCE, THE CEO PANEL, AND THE CONFERENCE WAS STRUCTURED A LITTLE DIFFERENTLY BECAUSE I WANTED THE LEGISLATURE AND THE PUBLIC AND THE LOCAL ELECTED OFFICIALS TO HEAR DIRECTLY FROM SOME OF IDAHO'S INSTITUTIONAL COMPANIES THAT HAVE BEEN HERE FOREVER, EVEN FOUNDING MEMBERS OF OUR ORGANIZATION IN SOME CASES, WHAT'S REALLY IMPORTANT.

BECAUSE BUSINESS IS BUSINESS.

THE ISSUES THEY TACKLE ARE ALL RELEVANT TO THEIR OPERATION OF A SUCCESSFUL, HARMONIOUS BUSINESS WITH A SAFE WORKPLACE AND ALL THE THINGS NECESSARY TO RUN A BUSINESS.

YOU COUPLE THAT WITH TAX POLICY AND WHAT IS RELEVANT IN THE TAX POLICY WORLD, IT SETS THE STAGE FOR REALLY JUST ADDRESSING ISSUES THAT ARE IMPORTANT.

IMPORTANT FOR COMPANIES.

IMPORTANT FOR INDIVIDUALS.

IMPORTANT FOR HOMEOWNERSHIP.

WHATEVER THE CASE MAY BE AND PUT THAT IN A HOLISTIC PICTURE AND ALLOW US TO MOVE FORWARD IN HOPEFULLY A WAY THAT IS A MORE FULL PICTURE KIND OF APPROACH.

>> WE'VE GOT ABOUT 30 SECONDS LEFT.

I KNOW YOU PROBABLY DON'T HAVE A CRYSTAL BALL AT ATI, BUT WHAT DO YOU EXPECT FROM THE 2022 SESSION?

>> A LOT OF TAX CUT PROPOSALS.

PROBABLY AROUND INCOME AND PROPERTY ARE THE TWO BIG DISCUSSIONS.

AND A LOT OF ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR INFRASTRUCTURE, FOR EDUCATION, FOR THINGS THAT ARE ALSO IMPORTANT TO THE STATE.

I THINK IT WILL BE A CROSS SECTION OF THOSE TWO ELEMENTS.

>> WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO LEAVE IT THERE.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.

AND THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR WATCHING.

WE'LL SEE YOU NEXT WEEK.

>> PRESENTATION OF "IDAHO REPORTS" ON IDAHO PUBLIC TELEVISION IS MADE POSSIBLE THROUGH THE GENEROUS SUPPORT OF THE LAURA MOORE CUNNINGHAM FOUNDATION, COMMITTED TO FULFILLING THE MOORE AND BETTIS FAMILY LEGACY OF BUILDING THE GREAT STATE OF IDAHO, BY THE FRIENDS OF IDAHO PUBLIC TELEVISION, AND BY THE CORPORATION FOR PUBLIC BROADCASTING.

CAPTIONING PERFORMED BY LNS CAPTIONING