Commission Members

The PCSC Commissioners bring a broad scope of experience in public education, business, and governance and share a desire to encourage innovation and quality school choice for Idaho families.


Sherrilynn Bair

Vice-Chairman

Term Expires: 05/14/2024

Residence: Firth

Sherrilynn Bair graduated from Idaho State University and received her Masters Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Phoenix. Commissioner Bair’s involvement with education includes working as a literacy specialist, online teacher, community library director, and curriculum director. Commissioner Bair and her husband, Mark Bair, are lifelong residents of Idaho. They have five children and seventeen grandchildren.

Commissioner Bair is committed to making sure all Idaho children have educational opportunities that meet their individual and family needs.


Dean Fisher

Term Expires: 05/12/2023

Residence: Twin Falls

Dr. Fisher comes to the commission with a vast background in education, governance, and public policy. Prior to stepping into his current Presidency in 2020, Dr. Fisher served as the Provost for SUNY Corning Community College and as Chief of Staff and Senior Policy Advisor for a Member of Congress where he provided oversight for the Congressman’s Oklahoma district operations and Washington, DC staff. Prior to his Congressional service, he served in a variety of administrative roles for thirty years at Rose State College, a community college in Oklahoma City. His last role at Rose State College was Vice President for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management.

In addition to his work in administration and public policy, he has regularly taught undergraduate and graduate courses in history, humanities, leadership and student development.


Pete Koehler

Term Expires: 06/30/2027

Residence: Caldwell

Born and raised in Parma, Idaho. Education: BA from University of Idaho in History 1975. MA  in History from BSU in 1986. Administrator certification from NNU 2003. Air Command and Staff College. Armed Forces Staff College. United states Regular Army from 1975 -1996. Armor Officer – Retired as a Lieutenant Colonel. Public Education: Classroom teacher; Elementary Principal; High School Principal; Area Director; Superintendent Senior Deputy Superintendent/Chief of Staff Idaho State Department of Education Organizations: Trout Unlimited; Henry’s Fork Foundation; Idaho Community Foundation; Veterans of Foreign Wars.


Nils Peterson

Petition Chair

Term Expires: 06/30/2023

Residence: Moscow

Nils Peterson retired from Washington State University in 2011 after a career designing technology-based learning systems and assessing student learning outcomes. As Assistant Director of the University’s Center for Teaching Learning and Technology, he played a key role in the university’s 2009 accreditation cycle. With his passion for learner-centered school models, he served as board chair during the founding and 2009 opening of Palouse Prairie Charter School.

Commissioner Peterson now serves as Executive Director of the Moscow Affordable Housing Trust, a non-profit whose mission is to create affordable home ownership opportunities within the city of Moscow.


Wanda Quinn

Renewal Chair

Term Expires: 05/14/2024

Residence: Coeur D'Alene

Wanda Quinn received her Bachelor of Science from the University of Washington; her Master in Education from University of Idaho; and her Juris Doctorate from Gonzaga Law School. Commissioner Quinn’s involvement with K-12 education includes twelve years on the Coeur d’Alene School District Board of Trustees. She is a past president of the Idaho School Boards Association and co-founder of the EXCEL Foundation. She has served on the boards of the Coeur d’Alene Chamber of Commerce and Coeur d’Alene Rotary Club. She currently serves as Program Development Specialist for the University of Idaho in Coeur d’Alene.


Alan Reed

Chairman

Term Expires: 05/12/2026

Residence: Idaho Falls

PCSC Chairman Alan Reed served on the Idaho Falls District 91 School Board from 1994 through 2003. For seven of those years, he served as chairman. He attended Ricks College and University of Idaho at University Place in Idaho Falls.

Chairman Reed is the president and co-owner of Reed’s Dairy in Idaho Falls, a milking, bottling and sales company that manufactures ice cream and cheese. Reed has shipped his specialty dairy products nationwide and to Japan. He was born and raised in Idaho Falls and married his high school sweetheart, Holly. They have four children and nine grandchildren.


Position Open

Finance Chair

Term Expires: 05/14/2024

Residence: Boise