Much like she did in front of the House Education Committee a few weeks ago, IEA member Sonia Galaviz impressed the Senate Education Committee Tuesday with her remarks in association with being recognized for her achievements and commitment to education. Galaviz is being honored by the legislature with HCR 26, sponsored by fellow IEA members Rep. John McCrostie (D-Garden City) and Sen. Janie Ward-Engelking (D-Boise). In particular, this bill notes her selection as the NEA Foundation Excellence in Education Award winner on February 10.
Galaviz shared some perspective on her background and what led her into education, as well as her philosophies on teaching and public schools. She told the committee about the unique challenges that come with teaching at Garfield Elementary School in Boise, which deals with a high poverty level and 18 different languages being spoken by students as their primary language. Her career-long advocacy for inclusion and diversity drew a comment of “preach, girl” from Sen. Cherie Buckner-Webb (D-Boise).
Tuesday’s meeting was the last of the session for the Senate Education Committee.
Sen. Den Hartog to Replace Sen. Thayn on Funding Formula Committee
As reported by Idaho Education News, Sen. Lori Den Hartog (R-Meridian) will replace Sen. Steven Thayn (R-Emmett) on the state’s education funding formula committee. This committee met several times over the past year to collect information and testimony, and will be meeting again over the coming months to explore possible improvements to the method Idaho uses for funding public education. They are expected to present recommendations to the 2018 legislature. This year’s legislature opted to hold off on any major changes in this area, including long-term policy regarding health insurance costs, to give the funding formula committee a clean slate to do its work.
