September 19, 2005

STATE BOARD EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO RETIRE

BOISE - The State Board of Education today announced the retirement of Gary Stivers, State Board of Education Executive Director, effective October 1, 2005.

State Board President Rod Lewis commented, "Gary has done a tremendous job for the Board and overseen many high profile initiatives and policies.  The Board appreciates the work he has done and is grateful for his service.  He has a lot to be proud of - and we wish him well on his retirement."

As executive director, Stivers has led a staff of 20 employees, worked extensively with university and college presidents, and acted as a liaison for the Board with the State Department of Education and the public. He served as the Board's executive director for four years. Some of his many accomplishments include:

• Assisting the Board with recruitment and hiring of three new college and university presidents;
• Overseeing six public agencies that report to the Board, including the Idaho Historical Society, State Library, Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, School for the Deaf and Blind, Professional Technical Education, and Idaho Public Television.
• Working with the Board on creation of the Idaho Standards Achievement Tests, the Idaho PLATO Learning Network, the federal Limited English Proficient Program, the Board's academic planning policies and procedures for Idaho's universities and colleges, scholarships for Idaho's high school students, and higher education research funds. He also served as a Member of the Idaho Council for Technology in Learning Committee as well as one of three commissioners for the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education.

Mr. Stivers has worked for 35 years in Idaho State government.  Prior to serving with the Board, Stivers worked at the Industrial Commission for more than 20 years, 11 of which he served as the executive director. Stivers worked for the Idaho Division of Vocational Rehabilitation as a counselor and special programs director. He also was a teacher in the Boise School District.

"It has been a pleasure to be part of the positive advancements the State Board of Education has implemented in the last few years and to have had the opportunity to work with the dedicated members of the Board and the employees of the agencies and institutions who have made our educational system the quality program it is today," said Stivers.

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