Board adopts interview questions and ISBA selection criteria and invites eight Zone 1 candidates for interviews

After closing the work session, the board convened a special meeting to set trustee interview questions, selection criteria and logistics for Zone 1 candidate interviews.

Trustee Ray (one board member) proposed seven base questions covering candidates' interest in serving, time commitment, qualities board members should exhibit, relationships with families, current challenges facing education, and district-specific issues. Board members debated whether to publish questions in advance, allow follow-up questions, the interview format (individual versus panel; the board favored individual interviews), and time limits per candidate.

The board adopted the interview questions with the caveat that follow-up questions would be allowed. They adopted the Idaho School Boards Association (ISBA) sample selection criteria for scoring and then voted to select all eight Zone 1 trustee candidates for interviews. Trustees discussed scheduling: the consensus was to hold individual interviews on a single day, allotting roughly 20–30 minutes per candidate and asking trustees to avoid having candidates sit through other candidates’ interviews to preserve fairness.

Members debated whether to stream interviews or the final selection; several trustees expressed concern about streaming the selection discussion because seven of the applicants will not be selected and those deliberations may be sensitive. The board ultimately moved forward with the interview scheduling and selection criteria but did not stream the selection vote at that time.

Formal motions were made and seconded to adopt the interview questions, accept the ISBA selection criteria, invite all eight candidates to interview, and adjourn; each motion passed by voice vote.