(UPDATED, 6:54 a.m. April 11, to correct White’s timeframe at Boise State.)

A Boise State University attorney and administrator will take the reins at the State Board of Education.

On Thursday, Gov. Brad Little named Jennifer White the State Board’s new executive director, replacing Joshua Whitworth.

This will be the second leadership change in 10 months at the State Board, a policymaking panel with far-reaching influence over K-12 and higher education in Idaho. Whitworth, who took over as executive director in July, is leaving for a job in the private sector. A news release from Little’s office provided no additional details.

White comes to the State Board with a background in Idaho politics, corporate law and higher education. A graduate of Vallivue High School in Canyon County, White was a staff member for former Idaho Gov. Dirk Kempthorne and then-Lt. Gov. Jim Risch. She later left Idaho to work as a litigator for a Washington, D.C., law firm, and as an in-house counsel for Total Wine & More, the nation’s largest privately held alcohol retailer.

She returned to Idaho in January 2023, joining Boise State’s legal counsel. Since June 2023,  she has been Boise State’s assistant vice president for finance and operations and senior counsel for government relations. In her government relations role, she frequently worked at the Statehouse, representing Boise State.

“Idaho has proven time and again we can lead when we excel at the basics and advance innovative approaches to supporting students of all ages,” White said in a news release Thursday. “Our education system is integral to the success of our communities, economy, and overall way of life in Idaho.”

In the release, Little called White “a strategic and effective leader who deeply understands Idaho’s unique education and workforce needs.”

As executive director, White will inherit one high-profile job search, as the State Board looks to replace her old boss at Boise State, President Marlene Tromp. The board and the university will hold a series of listening sessions with students, faculty, staff and other stakeholder groups, starting next week. Tromp last month accepted the president’s job at the University of Vermont, ending her six-year tenure at Boise State.

White also will inherit an ongoing debate over medical education. In 2025, lawmakers debated the idea of ending, or curtailing, Idaho’s longstanding partnership with the University of Washington and its WWAMI medical school partnership. The Legislature ultimately made no decision on WWAMI — named for its member states of Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana and Idaho. But a law, passed and signed last week, assigns a State Board working group to study Idaho’s medical education needs and submit an “action plan” to Gov. Brad Little and legislators by Jan. 2.

Whitworth was a former chief deputy for Controller Brandon Woolf, and a former Idaho Republican Party executive director. His time at the State Board was brief, but marked by a high-profile debate over DEI. On Whitworth’s watch, the board approved a policy in December banning restricting campus diversity, equity and inclusion programs. The policy specifically banned colleges from operating student support centers “based on DEI ideology.” Boise State and other Idaho universities now operate centers that are designed to offer one-stop support to all students.

Whitworth receives $199,992 a year as State Board executive director, according to the Transparent Idaho website. White receives $174,616 in her current post at Boise State.

White’s hire is subject to Senate confirmation next legislative session.

Charter commission hires new director, replacing Whitworth

Idaho Public Charter School Commission members are hoping their latest hire will bring their organization stability, after years of turnover in the executive director’s position.

On Thursday, the commission unanimously hired Korey Mereness, chief educator officer at the Idaho Division of Career-Technical Education.

“I am excited about this appointment and look forward to working with lawmakers, charter schools, and the massive community of charter school supporters in Idaho,” Mereness said in a news release. “My number one goal is to bring my experience in the K-12 world to the commission and ensure that we are advocates and supporters for charter schools across the state. Charter schools are an essential choice in the Idaho education landscape, and we must do all we can to support them.”

Prior director Jacob Smith resigned in December or January. Since then, Whitworth has filled the position on an interim basis.

Mereness spoke briefly to commissioners Thursday before they voted unanimously to hire him, effective immediately. Commissioner Pete Koehler abstained because he had previously employed Mereness.

Whitworth said that Mereness’ salary has yet to be determined with the state’s Division of Financial Management.

Commissioners did not ask Mereness any questions before the vote. However, commission Chairman Alan Reed interviewed Mereness privately, Whitworth said.

The commission did not conduct a search for the new executive director or post the job, opting for a targeted recruitment effort, Whitworth said.

Mereness worked as a teacher and principal in Nampa before working at Treasure Valley Community College and Idaho State University, where he oversaw adult education and GED programs.

He joined the CTE division in 2021, filling similar roles with the state before running the division’s federal programs. Mereness has worked as chief educator officer since June.

Whitworth, also interim head of the CTE division since November, said Mereness was his right hand during the recent legislative session.

Liebich returns as State Board president

In one other shakeup from Thursday, Boise business executive Kurt Liebich will return to his former role as State Board president.

Liebich, who has served on the board since 2019, will succeed former West Ada School District Superintendent Linda Clark in the president’s role. Clark will remain on the board.

“It has been rewarding to be a member of this board for the past five and half years, navigating the challenges and opportunities in our education system to better serve Idaho’s students. Idaho’s public education system – across K-12, career technical education, and our community colleges and universities – is the foundation for Idahoans’ prosperity,” Liebich said in a news release.

The eight-member board is a policymaking body; it includes seven gubernatorial appointees and the elected state schools superintendent.