The state superintendent kicked off Monday strong with a few meetings — the first with a new Behavioral Health Workgroup. Behavioral health is a concern in schools across the state as mental healthcare is scant, school counselors are often overworked, and students are increasingly experiencing depression and anxiety.

She later met staff from the Pullman-based Schweitzer Engineering, and Lewis-Clark State College professor Tony Kuphaldt. Kuphaldt is “on loan” from Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, and focuses on training students interested in working with industrial electronics.

Crtichfield held a one-on-one meeting with chief deputy superintendent Ryan Cantrell, and later attended a meeting to discuss House Bill 267 — her plan to boost career technical education across the state, especially in rural and remote communities.