BOISE -- BOISE - During a telephone board meeting Thursday, the State Board of Education voted to authorize the issuance and sale of $32 million in bonds by Boise State University.
Bonds would pay for an Interactive Learning Center, Student Services Center, Bronco Stadium improvements, west campus parking lot projects and energy saving improvements throughout campus.
Standard & Poor's Rating Services assigned its 'A +' rating to BSU's general revenue bonds. An A + rating reflects balanced financial operations and adequate debt service coverage. The bond company Moody's also rated the bonds at an equivalent level.
In addition to approving bonds, Board President Blake Hall also announced the reorganization of the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) as outlined by Idaho's compliance agreement with the U.S. Department of Education. Hall appointed Dr. Thomas Fisher as chairman of the TAC.
Fisher, a nationally recognized testing expert, serves on Technical Advisory Committees in North Dakota, Michigan, Arkansas, and Virginia. Fisher has published more than 60 articles in professional journals and was appointed by the U.S. Secretary of Education to the National Assessment Governing Board and served two three-year terms. "Dr. Fisher's experience with additional states brings a much needed perspective to our coming work in Idaho," said Hall. "I appreciate the diligent work of our past Technical Advisory Committee members and look forward to getting additional input from the new committee."
Hall also appointed Twin Falls School District acting Superintendent Willey Dobbs as a member of the Technical Advisory Committee. Staff at the State Board of Education will work with Fisher to identify four additional TAC members who can provide the skills and expertise in developing the best testing system to meet the needs of Idaho schools and students.
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