Idaho Governor Brad Little has appointed Josh Whitworth to serve as executive director of the Office of the State Board of Education.
Whitworth has served as Chief Deputy Controller in the State Controller’s Office for the past eight years and starts his new position at the Office of the State Board of Education in July.
At the State Controller’s Office, Whitworth helped champion major improvements in government transparency and efficiency. He is a native Idahoan whose family has operated a ranch in Mackay for four generations.
Whitworth previously served as executive director of the Idaho Republican Party. He also worked in recruitment at Idaho State University. Whitworth earned his bachelor’s degree in business from ISU and his Master of Business Administration from Boise State University. He lives in Boise with his wife and two daughters.
As Idaho’s single governing body for public kindergarten through college education, the eight-member State Board of Education is charged with the general supervision and governance of Idaho’s public educational institutions, agencies, and school system. Its mission is “to drive improvement of the K-12 education system for the citizens of Idaho, focusing on quality, results, and accountability.” The Office of the State Board of Education implements board policies and oversees the public higher education institutions and the board’s executive agencies.
Matt Freeman, who has served as executive director for the past nine years, announced his departure in April.
