Author: Debbie Critchfield

Debbie Critchfield was elected Superintendent of Public Instruction in November 2022 and was sworn in on January 2, 2023. Previously, she served as a seven-year member of the Idaho State Board of Education and was president during her final two years. Debbie was co-chair to Governor Little’s Education Task Force in 2019 and committee chair for Governor Otter’s Higher Education Task Force in 2017. She chaired the Re-Open Idaho Schools Committee in 2020 and was a member of the Governor’s K-12 Council.

Opinion

RISCH & CRITCHFIELD: Bringing Idaho’s Education Decisions Back Where They Belong

Sen. Jim Risch and Supt. Debbie Critchfield explain Idaho's new Ed-Flex federal waiver, which gives the state more control over how it spends federal education dollars.

Debbie CritchfieldSep 17, 2026

Opinion

CRITCHFIELD: This Year’s K-12 Public School Budget Looks Towards Idaho’s Future, Not its Past

Superintendent Debbie Critchfield explains this year's K-12 budget request, including new operational funding and a push to fix the one-time funding mechanism for high-needs students.

Debbie CritchfieldSep 4, 2026

Opinion

CRITCHFIELD: What’s Next for Idaho’s Public School Funding Formula?

Superintendent Debbie Critchfield outlines next steps for revising Idaho's K-12 school funding formula, unchanged since 1994, ahead of the next legislative session.

Debbie CritchfieldAug 26, 2026