Governor visits schools with big checks

TWIN FALLS, Idaho (KMVT/KSVT) —Governor Brad Little, Superintendent of Public Instruction Debbie Critchfield, local lawmakers and school officials were in the Magic Valley on Monday to celebrate historic funding for school facilities.

The governor made three stops on his Magic Valley leg, Jerome High School, Kimberly Elementary School, and Morningside Elementary.

And he brought along some big checks, thanks to House Bill 521, which secured the largest state investment in school facilities and construction.

Each check represented what was available to the district and that was the most exciting part to the kids.

Gov. Little says, “it’s kind of interesting to me how happy the students are. I understand their parents cause then it’s not going to be on their property taxes, it’s going to be a reduction. But I’m just excited about how excited the kids are about something as boring as fixing the roof and the HVAC system is. At all three schools they’ve been incredibly excited and enthusiastic.”

Superintendent Critchfield says visits like these allow her to connect in person to the local districts around the state.

It’s a reminder of why her department works so hard during the session for kids and how the work pays off.

“Seeing the kids being a part of what’s happening at the school, again making it about people we do a lot of talk” said Superintendent Critchfield. “We talk numbers, we talk policy and we talk all of these things that are important, but when you get into the school setting the school environment and you see the community support for education it makes it all worth it.”

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