Idaho's top school official sues lawmakers, education board

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Lawmakers violated the state constitution, Idaho's top school official said in a lawsuit, by approving two laws that are an attack on her office by reducing her ability to direct critical public school operations.

Superintendent of Public Instruction Sherri Ybarra filed the lawsuit with the Idaho Supreme Court on Friday against the Legislature and the State Board of Education.

Ybarra is a statewide elected official whose authority comes from the state constitution. She said lawmakers don’t have the authority to trim her office’s responsibilities and give them to the State Board of Education.

The lawsuit said the Legislature is trying to weaken Ybarra’s office by passing appropriations bills taking away money and employees without having to ask voters to approve a constitutional amendment required for such a change.

Read more: https://trib.com/news/national/govt-and-politics/idahos-top-school-official-sues-lawmakers-education-board/article_f99dfcd2-c9a2-5a03-b823-4e1bd7df4d89.html
(Casper Star Tribune)