Governor Brad Little on Thursday announced that two members of the Idaho State Board of Education have concluded their service and named a new chairman for the Idaho Transportation Board, reshaping several key advisory posts in a single announcement from Boise.

Education Board Members Depart After Years of Service

Bill Gilbert and Cindy Siddoway both reached the end of their terms on the State Board of Education. Gilbert joined the board in 2019, bringing a background in business and economic development. Siddoway followed in 2021, contributing expertise in agriculture, business, and community leadership.

During their tenures, both members helped shape policy affecting K-12 schools, community colleges, and public universities across Idaho, as well as workforce development initiatives aimed at connecting students with economic opportunities in the state.

Governor Little credited both departing members with substantive contributions to Idaho education. “Bill Gilbert and Cindy Siddoway have dedicated years of their lives to serving Idaho’s students and strengthening the institutions that prepare our young people for success,” he said.

The Idaho State Board of Education oversees the state’s public school system as well as its colleges and universities — a broad portfolio that touches the academic and professional futures of hundreds of thousands of Idahoans. Governor Little said he plans to announce replacements for the two open seats at a later date.

Watkins Named Transportation Board Chairman

Separately, Governor Little appointed Mitch Watkins to serve as chairman of the Idaho Transportation Board. Watkins comes to the role with experience spanning Idaho business, transportation, and community leadership.

“I appreciate Mitch’s willingness to step up and serve Idaho in this important role,” Little said of the appointment.

The Transportation Board oversees the Idaho Transportation Department, which manages the state’s highway system and infrastructure planning — responsibilities that carry weight in a state where road conditions and infrastructure affect everything from emergency response during wildfire season to long-haul commerce.

What’s Next

With two seats now vacant on the State Board of Education, attention will turn to who Governor Little selects to fill them. The governor indicated appointments are forthcoming but gave no specific timeline. Those selections will arrive as Idaho’s education policy landscape continues to evolve, with ongoing debates over school choice, workforce alignment, and higher education funding shaping the broader political environment heading into the fall.

Thursday’s announcement reflects the routine but consequential nature of gubernatorial appointments, which allow Little to shape the direction of major state institutions without legislative action during the interim period between sessions.