Chuck Malloy

Critchfield knows there will be disagreements here and there. She welcomes one-on-one visits with legislators to discuss those differences.

There are personal adjustments that lie ahead – including her and her husband, Dave, getting a second home in Boise.

The lead player is the governor, who runs on education platforms and ultimately is judged according to the quality of the public schools.

Little is on the right track by making literacy a centerpiece of his agenda, and kudos to the superintendents for backing him. The effort is long overdue.

This is not going to be your typical election-year “caretaker” session, and maybe not an easy one for the governor.

IEA President: “Let’s create a picture of what we want our schools to look like and build a budget on making that happen.”

The No. 2 guy in Education Secretary Betsy DeVos’ office visits the Gem State, and Idaho’s top education official was nowhere to be found. Mark her down for an “unexcused” absence.

I suspect that overall, Idahoans will be seeing competent, thoughtful and sane leadership from the top.

The state superintendent says voters should grade her on accomplishments.

Wilson has at least a fighting chance in this election — Ybarra has opened the door some.