State superintendent Debbie Critchfield held a meeting with House Education Committee Chair Rep. Julie Yamamoto, R-Caldwell, and Senate Education Committee Chair Sen. Dave Lent, R-Idaho Falls, on Wednesday.

Critchfield built relationships with the two committee chairs throughout her time on the State Board of Education and during her campaign. Both lawmakers sat on her transition team after she was elected.

The House and Senate education committees will be instrumental for Critchfield as she attempts to push policy through the Legislature. The committees are responsible for pushing through the bulk of education policy, and can kill bills before they reach the floor.

The superintendent will continue to meet with Yamamoto and Lent every week until the end of the session, according to Critchfield’s team.

Critchfield also met with state treasurer Julie Ellsworth and other legislators Wednesday morning.

This afternoon, she spent time prepping for her Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee (JFAC) presentation next week.

She’ll attend the Idaho Water Users Association’s legislative banquet Wednesday evening.