The Idaho Public Charter School Commission lost its director last month, a job the commission has struggled to keep filled since 2023.

Jacob Smith resigned sometime between the commission’s Dec. 12 meeting and January 10. Smith joined the charter commission staff in 2022 as the agency’s finance program manager, before that he was the director of operations for the Idaho Digital Learning Alliance.

He was promoted to the director role in December 2023 after a series of directors resigning, making him the third person to hold the title in one year. Smith did not immediately respond to request for comment.

Previous director Nichole Hall resigned in favor of another job after just two months with the commission. Hall replaced Jenn Thompson, who resigned in March of 2023 alongside former commissioner Brian Scigliano. The pair accused the board of acting irresponsibly.

In a short special meeting on Jan. 10, the commission unanimously voted to name Joshua Whitworth as the interim director at the recommendation of Gov. Brad Little’s office.

Whitworth now holds three high profile education jobs in Idaho.

In July, he became the executive director of the State Board of Education. Since November, he has served as the interim head of the state’s career-technical division after Clay Long, who held the position for nearly five years, resigned. Whitworth makes $199,900 a year for his job with the State Board.

Whitworth said the commission is not in a rush to hire a new director.

“The Commission, the Board of Education, and leaders of the state want to make sure the right candidate will take the critical roll on and bring leadership to the team and support the charter school system,” Whitworth said in a text to EdNews.

Staff under the Board of Education are going to “lean in” to support the commission on items of critical importance, Whitworth said. He noted capacity is strained right now with the Legislature in session.

The charter commission has a good team, Whitworth said, noting he plans to focus on providing support and leadership where needed.

He is still working with the commissioners on their desires to refine requirements for the position, pay and other factors that could help ensure “a longer term leader in that spot.”

The commission typically meets on the second Thursday of every other month but moved their meeting this month to Feb. 27.