Boise voters will decide a key seat on the Boise School District board on Sept. 1. During a student‑led forum at Boise High, candidates Andy Hawes and Kirt Naylor presented distinct visions for the district’s biggest challenges.
Candidate priorities
Attorney Andy Hawes, a former trustee (2021‑2023) and current in‑house counsel for J.R. Simplot Company, said the district’s most pressing issue is declining enrollment. He argued that school facilities should be treated as community assets and that any potential school closures should be paired with creative reuse plans that serve local needs.
“Are there other uses that we can employ for facilities that would fit squarely with what the community wants in serving students?” Hawes asked.
Emotional well‑being focus
Kirt Naylor, a former child‑protection prosecutor and former chair of the Governor’s Task Force on Children at Risk, acknowledged enrollment concerns but placed greater emphasis on the emotional and mental health of students from kindergarten through high school.
“Our students are dealing with very significant emotional, personal issues coming from the state Legislature, from outside sources, and from within,” Naylor said, calling for stronger partnerships with public‑health organizations to bring counseling and mental‑health education into schools.
Legislative backdrop
The discussion repeatedly turned to recent Idaho legislative actions that affect schools, including a mandated moment of silence, restrictions on transgender bathroom use, limits on classroom flags and banners, and required fetal‑development videos. Forum organizer Mona Schwartz, a senior at Boise High and BABE VOTE board member, warned that such top‑down policies can polarize students and stifle open conversation.
Recent tragedies and safety concerns
Both candidates referenced recent tragic events—a transgender student’s suicide and the suicide of special‑education assistant Gavin Snow—underscoring the need for vigilant mental‑health support. Hawes praised the district’s progress on mental‑health initiatives but cautioned against complacency, while Naylor advocated for more counseling resources and student‑led dialogue.
Election details
The Boise School District has three trustee races on the ballot. Two incumbents, Alejandro Necochea and Krista Hasler, run unopposed for six‑year terms. Hawes and Naylor are competing for a single four‑year at‑large seat. Voters can check registration status and learn more about the candidates through the district’s voter‑information links.
Original reporting: Idaho Education News — read the source article.
