First things first — sports before politics.
Andy Grover opened a news conference at the Statehouse Friday by congratulating the Melba boys’ basketball team for winning its district title.
Then he went to to more formal business — publicly announcing his entry into the race for state superintendent of public instruction.
“I want to create a bright future for Idaho’s children,” said Grover, the Melba School District’s superintendent.
State Superintendent Tom Luna announced is not seeking reelection. Four GOP candidates have entered the May primary, including Sherri Ybarra of Mountain Home, John Eynon of Cottonwood and Randy Jensen from American Falls. Jana Jones of Idaho Falls is the only Democrat on the ticket.
Grover spoke to a crowd of nearly 100 that included Senate Education Committee Chairman John Goedde, Garden Valley Superintendent Randy Schrader, Grover’s wife Candice and two of their three daughters.
“My family is in this 100 percent and so am I,” Grover said.
Grover emphasized his Idaho roots. He said he and his wife are both fifth-generation Idahoans and Grover was raised and educated in Idaho.
“I’ve spent my entire adult life working and playing in Idaho,” Grover said. “Education is my passion.”
If elected, Grover said his priority would be to implement the 20 recommendations from the governor’s task force.
“That will require serious leadership and I’m the person who can lead this effort,” he said.
Grover’s campaign treasurer is Sherry Ann Adams, Melba Elementary School’s principal.
“He has done a phenomenal job leading our school district,” Adams said. “I want to see him do that for all the kids in Idaho.”
Grover’s campaign website is groverforIdaho.com
Here is Grover’s written announcement:
It was Abraham Lincoln who said, “The Best way to predict your Future is to create it.”
And that is what we are here today to do – to create a bright future for Idaho’s children.
My name is Andy Grover and I am here today to formally announce my candidacy for the office of Idaho Superintendent of Public Instruction!
I am very excited for this opportunity, and grateful for the outpouring of support from those of you here with me today, and so many others around Idaho that I’ve heard from since I made the decision to run for this office.
Most importantly, I want to recognize and thank my wife of almost 20 years, Candice, and my three daughters Amanda, Payton, and Cierra. Candice is an Idaho native, a graduate of BYU-Idaho, and a language arts teacher.
We thought long and hard about what it will take to embark on this campaign, and the ultimate hard work of being Idaho’s School Superintendent. We understand — and are ready to accept — the hard work, and time and energy that will go into this campaign. My family is IN 100 percent, and so am I!
I was raised in Idaho. I grew up in Rigby. I was educated in the Idaho Public School System, and have earned my teaching degrees from Boise State University and the University of Idaho. I am on track to finish my Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Northwest Nazarene University.
I have been a teacher in Bonneville school District, a Principal in Melba, and now serve as the Superintendent of the Melba School District.
I have served in the United States Marine Corps reserve, and have spent my entire adult life working and playing here in Idaho.
I am a product of Idaho, and am PROUD of it!
My focus is simple: Student Success through Stakeholder Collaboration, Parental Choice, School Safety, and Implementation of the recommendations from the Governor Otter’s Task Force for Improving Education.
The Governor’s Task Force, made up of Idahoans, has produced 20 educational recommendations that, for the benefit of Idaho’s school children, need to be implemented into our school system.
In my experience, offering policy recommendations is ONE thing. BUT the task of implementing those recommendations will require serious leadership from not only the State Superintendent of Public Instruction, but from every School Board, every Superintendent, every Principal, and every teacher and parent in Idaho.
It is, after all, the right thing to do for our children.
And I am the person who can lead this effort. I’ve proven it through the work we’ve done in Melba.
This is all about our students. We must give all students, urban or rural, equal opportunities to be successful. Whether its college or a professional technical field, our students must be prepared for post-secondary school or the work force when they graduate.
Teachers need the training and direction, and students need the best of us all. Then we need to leave local governance issues up to local School Boards
Education is my passion and my experience. With the support of my family, my good friends, and my faith I ask for your support in May.
Thank you again for your support. We’re looking forward to creating that bright future for Idaho’s children.
