Idaho Education Association locals in Grangeville and Lewiston held legislative candidate forums last week in the run up to Tuesday’s primary elections.
On Tuesday, May 3, ten IEA members spoke with Sen. Carl Crabtree, R-Grangeville, who is endorsed by IEA’s Political Action Committee for Education for re-election to the Legislature.
Crabtree shared that he measures success by valuing achievement over actions. He pointed out the average legislator carries one to three bills each session, while this session he carried 30. Crabtree spoke with local members about education legislation dealing with dyslexia, educator health insurance, and the educator career ladder — all bills he worked on during the session.
Participants asked Crabtree levies, bonds, and regaining trust and respect in their local communities.
The next day in Lewiston, Crabtree was joined by Rep. Lori McCann (R-Lewiston), who was also endorsed by IEA for re-election.
Members questioned Crabtree about why dyslexia legislation he sponsored and was approved by lawmakers did not include funding. The IEA lobbied strongly for this legislation, even without appropriations, to lay the foundation for future dyslexia diagnosis and treatment. The IEA policy team is working closely with the State Board of Education to provide the professional development training necessary to understand the Idaho Reading Indicator screening portion of the new law.
McCann spoke to members about changes in employee compensation. The conversation centered around the idea that schools cannot function without support staff. Retaining support staff is vital for community and trust within schools, members told McCann.
Both McCann and Crabtree are in contested in Tuesday’s primary election.