The State Board of Education is refusing to release public comments on David Hahn, the sole finalist for the Boise State University presidency.

And with the State Board poised to hire Hahn next week, the board is maintaining a tight lid on an almost entirely closed process.

Idaho Education News on Thursday requested four records on Hahn and the presidential search. The State Board rejected all four requests Friday. And one records denial could set a precedent for future presidential hires.

On Tuesday, when the State Board introduced Hahn as the sole Boise State presidential finalist, the board also announced a comment portal. Public input on Hahn, the dean of the University of Arizona’s engineering college, can be submitted at comments@edu.idaho.gov.

EdNews requested these public comments. The State Board denied this request.

“Those communications were solicited by the board as part of the presidential search process and are being received for consideration by the board in connection with its review and evaluation of the candidate,” State Board Executive Director Jennifer White said in an email Friday. “As such, they constitute records relating to the screening, evaluation, and selection of an applicant for employment.”

White cited a far-reaching exemption in public records law. The exemption covers many personnel records, and “information relating to a public employee or applicant.” The section on applicants includes a one-word exemption covering “correspondence.”

Boise State faculty, employees and students questioned Hahn Wednesday during an hour-long public forum. But White said the written input, sealed from public view, “serves a different purpose” in the hiring process.

“The public forum was a public discussion with the candidate,” White said in a followup email to EdNews Monday. “Feedback received about the candidate for the Board’s screening and evaluation of him as an applicant is different. That evaluative correspondence continues to be received and will be considered by the board in making its final decision.”

The email comments regarding Hahn represent something of a new public record. That’s consistent with a new search process, which is being used for the first time for the Boise State hiring.

Under a new law, passed this year, the State Board and presidential search committees can conduct almost all of their work behind closed doors. The State Board now needs to announce only a sole presidential finalist — but it must wait 10 business days before making a hire. The State Board on Tuesday named Hahn the Boise State finalist, beginning the review period.

The new law on presidential searches creates the 10-day waiting period. It does not discuss public comments submitted during this time.

According to state law, “There is a presumption that all public records in Idaho are open.”

The State Board rejected three other records requests:

• EdNews requested written comments and recommendations from Boise State student leaders and other groups. During Wednesday’s meeting, State Board member and search committee chair David Turnbull referenced the student leaders’ written remarks, thanking them for their “thoughtful response.” White said those written comments were exempt from release, since the search committee used them in its “confidential review” of applicants.
• EdNews requested Hahn’s application, resume and supporting materials. These are confidential personnel records, White said.
• EdNews requested background checks regarding Hahn. These too are confidential personnel records, White said.

The State Board could vote to hire Hahn as early as July 1.