The Idaho State Board of Education is maintaining a tight lid on the presidential search process for Boise State University, refusing to release public comments on David Hahn, the sole finalist for the position. The board introduced Hahn as the finalist on Tuesday and announced a comment portal for public input, but denied a request for the comments, citing a public records law exemption.

Presidential Search Process

The State Board’s decision to withhold the comments has raised questions about the transparency of the search process. The board is poised to hire Hahn as early as July 1, but the lack of public input has sparked concerns among some faculty, employees, and students. Hahn, the dean of the University of Arizona’s engineering college, faced questions from the public during a forum on Wednesday, but the written comments submitted through the portal will not be made public.

The Idaho State Board of Education’s actions are guided by a new law passed this year, which allows the board and presidential search committees to conduct most of their work behind closed doors. The law requires the board to announce a sole finalist and wait 10 business days before making a hire, but it does not address the release of public comments during this period.

Original reporting: Idaho Education News — read the source article.