The Boise School Board’s September election will feature one contested race as two attorneys vie for a four-year term, while two other candidates run unopposed for six-year positions. The race highlights shifting dynamics on the independent school district’s governing body ahead of a significant transition in leadership.
Andy Hawes and Kirt Naylor are competing for the contested four-year seat. Hawes, a former board trustee, resigned from his position in 2023. Naylor is a retired attorney who applied for a vacant board seat in October 2023 but was not selected for appointment at that time. Both candidates bring legal backgrounds to their campaigns for the position.
The Broader Board Election
Three seats total will be on the ballot in the September election. Beyond the Hawes-Naylor contest, Alejandro Necochea and Krista Hasler are running unopposed for six-year terms. Necochea was appointed to the board in October 2023 to complete the unexpired term of Maria Greeley and is now seeking a full six-year term. Hasler was first elected to a two-year term in 2024 and is seeking to extend her tenure with a six-year term.
The September election marks a notable transition for the board. Nancy Gregory, who has served 24 years on the Boise School Board, is stepping down from her seat to pursue a run for Idaho Senate District 15 as a Democrat, challenging Republican Desi Burbank. This departure creates one of the three open positions on the ballot.
Election Details and Board Structure
Boise School District, which operates as an independent school district with a charter older than the state of Idaho itself, holds board elections every two years on the first Tuesday in September. All board seats are at-large positions with no geographic zones, meaning candidates represent the entire district rather than specific neighborhoods or attendance areas.
The September election will occur on the first Tuesday of the month. The contested race between Hawes and Naylor for the four-year seat offers voters a choice between two candidates with legal expertise, while the unopposed races for the two six-year positions indicate board stability in those positions.
The October 2023 vacancy that Naylor applied for drew six candidates, reflecting community interest in board service. Necochea’s subsequent appointment and now his candidacy for a full term demonstrate the board’s evolution as it prepares for Gregory’s departure.
What Comes Next
Voters in the Boise School District will cast ballots in the September election. Those interested in learning more about the candidates or the board’s operations can attend public board meetings or contact the district office for election information. The outcome will shape the board’s composition for the coming years as the district continues to address education policy and budgeting matters affecting Ada County families.