Candidate Information - 4 Yr. Term
The following candidates are running for one open Boise School Board trustee position with a four-year term.
Each candidate was given the opportunity to provide a photo and 500 words about their candidacy.
Andy Hawes
Candidate Bio
Name: Andy Hawes
Age: 56
Education: Hawthorne Elementary School, East Junior High, Boise High School, B.A. University of Denver in Political Science (with honors), J.D. University of Idaho College of Law
Occupation: Director, Land, Water and Asset Recovery, J.R. Simplot Company
Why I Am Running
I am running for the Boise School District Board of Trustees because Boise schools are one of our community's greatest strengths, and I believe the district will benefit from experienced, steady leadership as it navigates important challenges and opportunities ahead. As a graduate of Hawthorne Elementary, East Junior High, and Boise High School, and as the parent of two Boise School District graduates, my commitment to public education is both personal and lifelong. Boise schools helped shape my future and the futures of my children, and I want to help ensure those same opportunities remain available for generations of students to come.
I previously had the honor of serving as a Boise School Board Trustee after being appointed in 2021 and elected by Boise voters in 2022 with more than 70 percent of the vote. During my service, I never missed a board meeting, visited every school in the district, served on the Facilities, Governance, and Communications Committees, and helped establish the Student Advisory Committee. Those experiences provided me with deep understanding of district operations, long-range planning, school facilities, and the challenges facing public education today.
In 2023, I resigned due to professional relocation. Since returning home to Boise, my desire to serve this community has only grown stronger. My previous board experience means I understand the responsibilities of the position, the issues facing the district, and the importance of making informed decisions that place students first. At a time when the district faces significant decisions regarding enrollment, facilities, staffing, and financial planning, I believe proven trustee experience matters because new trustees face a steep learning curve.
Today, the Boise School District faces challenges involving enrollment trends, facilities planning, staffing needs, rising costs, and budget pressures. These issues require thoughtful planning, strong governance, and leaders who understand the district's history and future needs. My professional experience as an attorney and Director of Land, Water, and Asset Recovery for J.R. Simplot Company has provided extensive experience in governance, strategic planning, negotiations, budgeting, and asset management. I believe those skills, combined with my prior board service, uniquely qualify me to help navigate the important decisions ahead.
My priorities are straightforward: keep students at the center of every decision, support strong neighborhood schools, plan responsibly for the future, maintain transparency and accountability, and strengthen communication between the Board and the community. Effective leadership begins with listening, showing up prepared, respecting differing viewpoints, and making decisions based on what best serves students and taxpayers.
Serving on the Boise School Board was one of the greatest honors of my life. I am running because I believe deeply in public education, love this community, and believe my proven experience can help Boise schools successfully navigate challenges ahead while providing exceptional opportunities for every student.
To learn more, visit www.andyforboiseschools.com, call (208) 391-9979, or email andy4boiseschools@gmail.com.
Kirt Naylor
Candidate Bio
Kirt Naylor
Age: 67
Education: Law Degree
Occupation: Attorney (retired)
Kirt Naylor, is a lifelong Boise resident, longtime attorney (now retired), and dedicated community volunteer, pledging to bring experienced leadership, thoughtful decision-making, and a strong commitment to students and families across the district.
No noise, no extremes—just a commitment to students, families, and a stronger future.
With generations of my family connected to Boise schools, this campaign is deeply personal to me. I believe strong public schools are the foundation of a strong community, and I want to help ensure every student can succeed in a safe, supportive, and high-quality learning environment.
Naylor brings nearly four decades of professional and community experience to the race. Throughout his legal career, he has worked extensively with Idaho school districts, colleges, and public agencies, focusing on education law, civil rights, employment matters, and child advocacy. He also served as an Ada County Deputy Prosecuting Attorney, handling juvenile and child protection cases early in his career. Kirt established a local law firm and managed it for more than two decades before retiring.
In addition to his professional background, Naylor has spent decades volunteering in the Boise community. He has served as a PTA president, Boise school classroom volunteer, Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) pro bono attorney, youth advocate, neighborhood leader, and chairman of the statewide Governor’s Task Force on Children at Risk for 15 years. He is currently a member of the Boise School District Long Range Facilities Task Force.
Kirt and his wife, Lorrie, graduated from Borah High School, raised their three children in Boise schools, and have grandchildren attending Boise School District schools today.
Naylor’s campaign focus is on:
- Strengthening partnerships between schools, families, and the community
- Supporting students, teachers and staff to achieve educational excellence
- Maintaining safe, respectful, and effective learning environments
- Ensuring responsible stewardship of taxpayer resources
- Encouraging more community and stakeholder dialogue with the district
Naylor’s campaign has already received endorsements from respected leaders in education, public service, and Idaho government, including former Boise School Board Trustees AJ Balukoff, Maria Greeley, and Rory Jones; current (retiring) Boise School Board Trustee Nancy Gregory; former Idaho Secretary of State Ben Ysursa; former Idaho Attorney General Lawrence Wasden; former Idaho Supreme Court Justice and Idaho Attorney General Jim Jones; former Idaho State Senator Elliot Werk, and former ICRMP Executive Director and ISIF CEO Rick Ferguson. (More details on website.)
I’m honored to have the support of leaders who care deeply about public education and the future of Boise. This campaign is about bringing people together to support strong schools, strong families, and a strong community.
I’m running because I care deeply about Boise’s future. Our schools should continue to be a source of pride for our community, and I believe steady, experienced leadership can help us meet both today’s challenges and tomorrow’s opportunities.
Thoughtful Leadership. Practical Solutions.
Campaign Contact Information
Kirt Naylor for Boise School Board
Website: Kirtnaylor.com
Email: naylor4schoolboard@gmail.com
AJ Balukoff, Campaign Treasurer
Ben Ysursa, Campaign Manager