Bill Description: Senate Bill 1225 would codify the State Board of Education’s (SBOE) current process for all president searches for state institutions of higher education and only require the name of the sole finalist be made publicly available for 10 days prior to the final decision.

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Does it in any way restrict public access to information related to government activity or otherwise compromise government transparency, accountability, or election integrity? Conversely, does it increase public access to information related to government activity or increase government transparency, accountability, or election integrity?

S1225 would require the SBOE to establish an 8 member search committee to fill all vacancies for president of a public institution of higher education. The search committee shall consist of 2 members of the Idaho state board of education, 2 individuals currently employed by the state institution of higher education searching for a president (1 of whom shall be a member of the faculty), 2 alumni of the state institution of higher education searching for a president, 1 member of the foundation of the state institution of higher education searching for a president; and 1 at-large community member.

S1225 would also exempt presidential searches from the current requirement that the five finalists be revealed to the public. Instead, the SBOE will be required to release the name of the sole finalist at least 10 days before the decision is made.

This process will help ensure accountability in the selection process by promoting the selection of higher quality candidates with the input of a consortium of stakeholders with different perspectives on the best interests of the college or university. Moreover, by exempting the presidential search from the current “sunshine requirement,” it increases the likelihood of receiving top-tier applicants from existing college or university presidents at other institutions, who would otherwise be dissuaded from applying out of fear of repercussion from their current employer. Combined, these features will give the SBOE no excuse not to find and select presidents that align with Idaho’s conservative values, while also giving the public a window to protest candidates that do not.

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