Originally posted on IdahoEdNews.org on July 11, 2025

BOISE, ID – Superintendent of Public Instruction Debbie Critchfield’s spokesman is leaving the Department of Education. Scott Graf will return to broadcasting, in a director role with Idaho Public Television, after working in state government for nearly nine years. 

Graf has served as Critchfield’s chief communications officer since she took office in 2023. Prior to working for the Education Department, Graf was spokesman for former Attorney General Lawrence Wasden, a job he held for more than six years. 

In a statement Friday, Critchfield said Graf’s professionalism and communication leadership are the “gold standard for his position.” 

“On a personal level, his team and I will miss the day-to-day interactions, his good humor and his fishing tales!” Critchfield said by email. “His commitment to Idaho and education makes us proud to see him enter a new chapter.”

Starting next month, Graf will be director of content and operations at Idaho PTV. The move is a return to broadcasting for Graf, who served as news director at Boise State Public Radio before working for Wasden and Critchfield. 

“It’s been a pleasure to work alongside professionals who are so committed to doing what’s right for public education,” Graf said by email Friday. “At the end of the day, the opportunity to support IdahoPTV in telling the stories of our state and its people was just too appealing to pass up.”

In his new role, Graf will be stitching together content-related activities within the organization “to build a more strategic approach,” said Jeff Tucker, general manager at Idaho PTV. “He won’t be leaving the world of education since one of the important parts of IdahoPTV’s mission is to help educate all Idahoans whether young or young at heart.”

Graf’s final day with the Education Department will be July 31.