Panel stalls Ybarra's substitute to blind and deaf board

BOISE - A legislative panel is stalling Superintendent of Public Instruction Sherri Ybarra's request to appoint a substitute to lead a board supporting students who are visually impaired or have hearing loss.

The House Education Committee voted to hold the bill Wednesday after lawmakers questioned its wording and the need for the bill.

Tim Corder, the superintendent's special assistant, told lawmakers that appointing someone would bring continuity and expertise to the eight-member board.

According to the bill, Ybarra would be able to appoint a replacement to chair the board of Idaho's Educational Services for the Deaf and the Blind.

Corder said Ybarra would still attend and chair the meetings when she was able.

Rep. Reed DeMordaunt, R-Eagle, who is the committee's chairman, and Rep. Lance Clow, R-Twin Falls, both voiced concern over whether the replacement should be an "appointee" or a "designee."

"Once you appoint someone, they are now in lieu of you - period," DeMordaunt said. "I'm not sure that the word appointee gives you that latitude."

Ybarra had intended to appoint her special education director, Charlie Silva, to the role.

Rep. Patrick McDonald, R-Boise, asked why the superintendent couldn't attend the meetings.

"I'd be happy to show you the superintendent's calendar," Corder said in response.

"I know she's busy," McDonald said. "Everybody's busy."

Nine meetings are scheduled this year.

Ray Lockery, who sits on the board, told the panel he did not support the change because having the superintendent at the table gave his group a direct line to the person in power.

Rep. Ilana Rubel, D-Boise, said she saw no problem with the language and supported sending the bill to the full House.

The panel could still pick up the bill at a later time.