My working cohort from years ago in Boise just sent me this paragraph and reference to Randy Stapilus' article which I copied below.  Here is what Lynda had to say:

"I was just ready to close down my computer when Jay told me about a must read in the Ridenbaugh website.  Time lines for Tom Luna, his association with Bill Bennett's K-12 and the connections with Thomas J. Wilford all researched quite thoroughly by Grove Koger (retired Boise librarian). I'm fascinated with the Tom Wilford link.  Independently I did some research and via Bloomberg's Business Week found a biography for Wilford which substantiates that he is indeed the accountant/auditor from Ernst & Ernst that worked with us at Information and Referral. As I recall he was quite helpful to us and at that time I would not have suspected that he would waft off into extreme right-wing politics."

What I remember about Tom Wilford was that he was a cohort of Uncle Jim's in the Air Guard. I often think of military people as capable of being right-wing with politics. Perhaps you've already seen this; here's the article:

Following the ed

money<http://www.ridenbaugh.com/index.php/2011/02/15/following-the-ed-money/>

by Randy

Stapilus<http://www.ridenbaugh.com/index.php/author/stapilus/>

under Idaho<http://www.ridenbaugh.com/index.php/category/idaho/>.

Another piece to consider when reviewing the details of how and why the education program offered this year from Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Luna – a plan now being retooledhttp://www.spokesman.com/blogs/boise/2011/feb/14/retooled-school-reform-plan/ – was submitted for prime time.

Often, it helps to check the personal ties and connections – who is being listened to, who is working with and talking with whom.

Consider this, a timeline developed by Boise writer Grove Koger:

1993 Thomas J. Wilford becomes President of Alscott<http://www.spoke.com/info/c586c9q/AlscottInc>

1995-2003 Wilford President of J.A. and Kathryn Albertson Foundation

1999 VA-based K12 founded by former U.S. Secretary of Ed. Bill Bennett

1999-2001 Wilford a Director of Albertson's Inc.

2002 Idaho Virtual Academy created in cooperation with K12

Nov Wilford becomes a Director of K12

2003 Wilford becomes CEO of J.A. and Kathryn Albertson Foundation

2004 Wilford becomes a Director of IDACORP Wilford becomes a Director of Idaho Power, an IDACORP subsidiary

2005 J.A. and Kathryn Albertson Foundation give grants to several charter schools, including Idaho Virtual Academy

2006 08/10 Maryland-based Connections Academy contributes $500 to Luna's campaign

09/29 K12 donates $5,000 to Luna's campaign

12/19 K12 donates $891.29 to help retire Luna's Primary '06 debt

12/19 K12 donates $4108.71 toward Luna's Primary 2010 fund

2007 Wilford's total compensation from K12 for 2007: $354

2008 Wilford's total compensation from K12 for 2008: $28,578

2009 Wilford's total compensation from K12 for 2009: $55,829

2010 04/30 TN-based Education Networks of America contributes $1,000 to Luna's Campaign

05/11 PA-based Apangea Learning donates $1,000 to Luna's campaign

07/02 Education Networks of America contributes $1,500 to Luna's campaign

07/26 Wilford sells 5,000 shares of K12 stock; retains at least 3,041 shares Wilford donates $250 to Luna's campaign

09/20 Apangea Learning donates $2,500 to Luna's campaign

09/28 AZ-based Apollo Group donates $2,500 to Luna's campaign

10/20 K12, whose curriculum is used by the Idaho Virtual Academy (largest Idaho online public charter school), donates $25,000 to Idahoans for Choice in Education. Almost immediately Idahoans for Choice gives $25,000 to Arizona firm for broadcast advertising and production in an independent campaign supporting Luna's re-election

12/16 Wilford ceases to be a Director of K12; not clear whether he is still a stockholder. Wilford's total compensation from K12 for 2010: $107,114

2011 01/29 J.A. and Kathryn Albertson Foundation takes out ad in Idaho Statesman supporting Tom Luna's education plan

When the Luna-Otter plan emerged seemingly out of nowhere a month ago, in other words, it didn't really emerge out of nowhere.

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