Idaho Education Committees will “Listen”

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — House and Senate education committees will hold a "listening hearing" on Feb. 1, an opportunity for the public to weigh at the Legislature just months after public schools chief Tom Luna's overhaul went down to defeat. Leaders of the panels in both chambers announced the session on Monday. It's due to run between 8 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. in the Capitol's basement auditorium.

House Education Committee Chairman Reed DeMordaunt said he wants to invite everyone to share their thoughts on improving Idaho's public schools. Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter has already assembled a task force, to come up with new ways to improve education ahead of the 2014 Legislature. Senate Education Committee Chairman John Goedde says he hopes the listening hearing next week will work "in conjunction" with Otter's task force.