New State Board of Education members Debbie Critchfield and Dave Hill are officially on the job.

The two new board members, who were appointed by Gov. Butch Otter last month to bring the group back to full strength, are participating in their first meeting this week in Pocatello.

Board President Emma Atchley took time out from the meeting to welcome each to the board. She described Critchfield as having “been very active in her local school district and education system,” and noted Critchfield previously served as a regional chairwoman for the Idaho School Boards Association.

Critchfield is a former chairwoman of the Cassia County School Board, who has worked as a substitute teacher and serves as her district’s public information officer.

Atchley recognized Hill as “a world-renowned researcher” who served as a deputy director of Idaho National Laboratory.

Hill has been active with Gov. Butch Otter’s Idaho Global Entrepreneurial Mission (IGEM) Council, the Higher Education Research Council and Center for Advanced Energy Studies.

The board’s August meeting kicked off Wednesday at Idaho State University’s campus, and continues Thursday.

The board is the policy-setting body that oversees Idaho’s K-12 public schools and colleges and universities.

Further reading: State Board appointees outline goals.