The Idaho State Board of Education announced today that executive director Mike Rush has accepted a new position as executive director and chief executive officer for the South Dakota Board of Regents, effective June 29.

“Mike Rush has been a leader in Idaho education for nearly 30 years,” said Idaho state board president Emma Atchley in a press release.  “Mike has guided implementation of many board polices that are benefiting Idaho students today in classrooms at every level of education.”

Rush’s Idaho career began in 1986 as a program manager in the Division of Professional-Technical Education. He became the administrator of that agency in 1997.  In 2007, he became executive director of the Idaho State Board of Education.  He has overseen implementation of a number of board initiatives, including strengthening career-technical education in the technical colleges and high schools, increasing the number of college degrees earned by Idaho students, more than doubling the number of students taking both high school and college credit, and increasing the state’s college scholarship awards through the Idaho Opportunity Scholarship program.

“I have had the opportunity to work with the best board in the country and some of the finest universities, colleges and public schools anywhere.” Rush said in a press release.  “I have particularly appreciated the governor’s leadership this past year in increasing support for our Idaho public schools. I will dearly miss the dedicated individuals who make Idaho’s education system such a great place to work.”

The Board has not yet announced plans for selecting a new executive director.

The State Board of Education is charged with the general supervision, governance and control of the public educational institutions and the public school system.  To learn more about the Idaho State Board of Education, visit www.boardofed.idaho.gov.