And they’ve repeatedly said no — most recently on Nov. 7, marking the fourth consecutive denial of a Mountain View School District levy ask in as many years. 

Nonetheless, trustees are going to try again in May. This time they’ll request a two-year, $6.2 million levy instead of a one-year, $3.1 million levy. 

They keep asking because the alternatives are bleak, according to Carly Behler, the district’s comptroller. If the next measure doesn’t pass, trustees will consider closing a school to cut costs — a possibility that many community members oppose.

If passed, the levy would fund a gamut of district needs, including: utilities, substitutes, support staff, maintenance and repairs, athletics, transportation, employee benefits, insurance, instructional materials, professional services, technology, custodial supplies, and special education contracted services.

At the board’s last meeting, patrons — including some students — advocated to keep all five of its schools open. Community members worry that Clearwater Valley High would be on the chopping block, but Superintendent Kim Spacek said trustees haven’t decided whether to close a school, or which one. Those conversations will come if voters deny the levy in May. 

Mountain View School District schools: Grangeville Elementary/Middle; Grangeville High; Clearwater Valley High; Clearwater Valley Elementary; Elk City School

“There were a lot of passionate comments,” Behler said. “They were saying how important the school is and how it creates the community. If you take that away, it really impacts whether people would want to move or even live there.”

But so far, that public sentiment hasn’t translated to financial support. 

The repeated levy failures are unusual, as the measures usually pass. In the past five years, voters have approved 94% of supplemental levies (which require simple majority approval) in Idaho. 

The reasons for the community pushback are many, according to school officials: a divided community; family budgets crunched by increasing property values and taxes; rebellion against a Legislature that relies on local communities to close education funding gaps; distrust of public education; and a growing homeschool movement.  

It’s a “perfect storm,” Amanda Bush, the district’s special education coordinator, said — an extreme case of what can happen when voters become disenfranchised with school districts and/or government. 

“We are just an example of how all of those things can come together and cause real problems for a school district,” she said.

She doesn’t “blame anybody,” or fault their reasons. There are problems with school funding, but the answer is not to stop financially supporting local education, she said. 

“I’m frustrated that we continue to struggle to just exist,” she said. “For the benefit of our students, I want our schools to be healthy, safe places for kids.”

“I’m frustrated that we continue to struggle to just exist.” — Amanda Bush, special education coordinator, Mountain View School District.

A community divided — and disenchanted

Bush said she’s seeing more and more students disenroll to become homeschooled, reflecting a national trend. 

“There’s a shift against public education in rural, and in really conservative communities, across the county,” she said. “There’s a huge increase in homeschooling that’s happening here.”

The district primarily serves two communities — Grangeville and Clearwater Valley — and each has its own elementary and high school. While the communities are about 28 miles apart — a winding, 45-minute drive — more than distance divides them. Clearwater Valley has a strong homeschooled population, to the point where they feel “they don’t need our school system,” Bush said.  

Mountain View School District by the numbers:
Total students: 1,169
Grangeville students: 838
Clearwater Valley/Elk City students: 331

In the last election, it was the Clearwater Valley votes that sank the levy, Bush said. Clearwater Valley is also more rural, has less industry, and fewer job opportunities. 

Part of what drives the rancor about levies is a rivalry between Grangeville and Clearwater Valley. There have been increasing calls to separate Mountain View School District into two, smaller districts. 

“The communities are so divided that they’re determined to keep failing levies because they don’t want to support the other,” Behler said. 

Local voters also feel disenfranchised by the dependence on local taxpayers to fund education. 

“There’s a strong sense in our community that property taxes supporting schools are unconstitutional,” she said. “(Patrons) want the (Idaho Department of Education) to fund education 100%.”

At the same time, taxpayers feel the squeeze of increasing property values and the increasing property taxes that go with them.

A new superintendent is hopeful for a levy success story

Spacek, new to the district this year, noted that other districts in the area have passed levies, and often. 

“They must have a good relationship with their community and provide the type of education their community wants,” he said. “And so that’s a challenge for Mountain View.”

The district and its communities have questions to answer, he said, like whether forming two districts is a solution worth pursuing, and how to best prepare students for life after high school. 

But he saw the 48% levy approval at the last election as progress.

“That’s probably the closest it’s been to passing for a long time,” he said. “To me, that’s a positive because there’s a recognition that we need to do something for schools.”

Superintendent Debbie Critchfield believes rural communities are highly interested in increasing workforce-ready career technical programs for their students, so she wasn’t surprised by the “sheer demand” of grant applications reaching the Idaho Department of Education.

Thirty-two of 35 proposals went to rural schools, which accounts for a little more than three-fourths of the money awarded so far.

“It’s problem solving. It’s math. It’s science. It’s all of these things captured in work-based learning. I firmly believe that a good, hard day’s work is the answer to a lot of things,” Critchfield said.

During the last legislative session, when lawmakers approved $45 million for Idaho Career Ready Students (ICRS), Critchfield said her critics claimed she’s trying to turn every kid into a welder.

“That was one of the things we heard. If kids don’t want to weld, they still don’t have to. But when I went to Twin Falls High School, I asked the principal to take me to your most popular elective class,” Critchfield recalled. “It was welding.”

She encountered similar stories about career technical education in the farming, food processing, tourism and logging regions.

And applications have poured in. The state has received more in grant requests than it has money to allocate. In the span of four months, approximately $35.9 million of the $45 million ICRS grant money has been set aside for 35 proposal requests. Approximately $111 million was requested, which is 146% more than what they were able to award. About $9.1 million remains unspent.

The Department of Education is administering the program but spending decisions are made by the ICRS council — 11 industry leaders, career technical educators, lawmakers, education leaders and Critchfield.

Grants are intended to create or expand pathways into welding, fabrication, machining, agriculture, forestry, mining, nursing and cyber security. The program incentivizes rural schools to align programs with their community and industry needs. The money should reduce the problem of finding resources needed to sustain high-quality career technical programming.

The high-level of interest is evidence that career technical education is a powerful tool, Critchfield said. “I’m not surprised that our schools are trying to meet career goals for our students. I’m not surprised that there’s more interest in technical programs. I’m not surprised that kids want a jumpstart on their careers.”

But how will the state measure success and provide accountability for the millions promised across Idaho in communities like Middleton and Pocatello, and rural Deary, Malad, Orifino and Wilder? The ICRS council expects school districts to be “good stewards,” submit quarterly reports, a final project completion report and account for spending in district financial reports, according to the state’s website.

The council will consider metrics and evidence to measure success and return on investment at their February meeting. Expanding workforce-ready programs could impact job creation, unemployment, local economic growth, graduation rates, student mental health and career choices.

Districts are required to answer “show us how you’re going to know that this is successful and sustainable” on the the application.

Pocatello-Chubbuck School District’s longtime career technical education instructor Rhonda Naftz was emphatic about the impact in her region: “This is one of the greatest things the state of Idaho has ever offered to students.”

The Idaho Division of Career Technical Education released the following data that demonstrates the growth of high school CTE programs over the last six years.

Where is the ICRS money going?

The ICRS council met three times and committed 79% — or $28.2 million — for 32 rural and remote school district proposals; three proposals were awarded in areas not considered rural.

“It was very clear that we were under-serving local economies,” Critchfield recalled, about her visits around the state. In North Idaho, the forestry, logging and timber industry provided the catalyst “for getting this grant together. I consistently heard about great opportunities for students.”

Four forestry and natural resources proposals received $3.5 million for start-up or expansion of logging and the production of forestry products.

About 65% of all the money awarded ($23.5 million) went to five school districts’ capital projects. The districts receiving the largest awards are: Pocatello-Chubbuck, $6.5 million; Jefferson, $5.3 million; Minidoka, $4.9 million; Blackfoot, $3.9 million; Sugar-Salem, $2.7 million. In total, capital projects received $33.1 million. Existing programs at 13 schools received $391,165. And Potlatch, Firth, Shelley, Orofino and West Bonner districts were approved for new programs, totaling approximately $2.3 million.

“It’s life changing. This grant will change the face of CTE in this whole region,” Naftz said about Pocatello-Chubbuck’s career technical center, which is expected to officially open in 2024.

Hands-on, real-world learning is an answer for students who feel “aimless” or lack “confidence,” Critchfield said. “There is a sense of pride. You develop perseverance and grit.”

Millions were awarded to long- and short-term projects since July but only a small portion has been spent: about $400,000 through requests for reimbursement, a district issued purchase order or vendor invoice to the Department of Education. There is no deadline for when funds are to be spent. Any unused money will be returned to fund proposals not previously accepted.

The ICRS council

The council’s next meeting is Feb. 16. Applications are due by Jan. 31. The council is made up of the following members: 

• Critchfield, who chairs the council.
• Clay Long, administrator, Idaho Division of Career Technical Education.
• Lex Godfrey, secondary CTE instructor, Career Technical Educators of Idaho.
• Brandy Funk, secondary CTE instructor, Career Technical Educators of Idaho.
• Rodney Farrington, associate professor, Career Technical Educators of Idaho.
• Robb Bloem, StanCraft Companies, representing industry.
• Dana Kirkham, Idaho Environmental Coalition, representing industry.
• Angelique Rood, Idaho Power, representing industry.
• Marie Price, Idaho Forest Group, representing the Workforce Development Council.
• Sen. Kevin Cook, Idaho Senate, District 32.
• Rep. Judy Boyle, Idaho House of Representatives, District 9.

“I have just been really just blown away at the level of attention and experience that people” on the council have, Critchfield said.

But rejecting applications is part of the process. Some proposals — particularly those outside the scope of in-demand careers — were rejected outright, but most are placed in the “not yet” category: they will be reconsidered, if money becomes available later.

The council rejected a request for heavy equipment. Additional ineligible expenses include:

• Curriculum for existing programs.
• Instructor travels for professional development, course work and conferences.
• Student travel for general field trips and extra-curricular activities (specific, itemized requests for travel may be considered).
• Soft costs associated with building programming and construction — contractor administration and overhead fees and building permits (architectural and design fees, and contingency fees are allowable expenses).

School districts and charters can apply for the funds here. The ICRS program was approved by the Legislature earlier this year and signed into law by Gov. Brad Little on March 31. Questions can be directed to program coordinator Allison Duman at aduman@sde.idaho.gov.

Pocatello-Chubbuck to offer a regional CTE center

The council awarded the Portneuf Valley Technical Education and Career Campus in Chubbuck $6.5 million to complete a regional CTE center that will serve students from surrounding communities who do not have access to programs. 

A major development was the Pocatello-Chubbuck school board’s decision last year to purchase the old 78,000 square foot Allstate building for around $12 million, using local plant facilities levy and federal money. But without the new grant, Naftz believes it would have taken another six to 10 years to complete the career center in stages.

“For 23 years we’ve been thinking, talking and trying to figure out how it is going to work. We got very serious about seven years ago. So we’ve been at this for a long time,” Naftz said. 

Surrounding school districts who could benefit from the regional CTE center are American Falls, Marsh Valley, Aberdeen, Rockland, Soda Springs, Grace and Malad. The center, expected to open in 2024, will serve between 1,000 to 1,400 students per day.

“We are opening that door for whichever students want to show up. When this building is finished, it’s not going to look like anything in the state. It’s going to be at a different level,” Naftz said. 

Are CTE teacher endorsements increasing?

The approval process for new CTE programs takes place during the spring with the approval cycle ending on Feb. 15.

“We anticipate to see a continued growth during the upcoming application window. (Our agency) has seen significant growth in CTE programs throughout the state over the past six years,” said Megan O’Rourke, director of communications for Career Technical Education.

There were 1,089 teachers teaching CTE courses in the 2022-23 school year. There are 1,083 teachers this school year in classrooms across the state, but the agency says that could increase.

The number of teachers “still has room to increase over the balance of this year,” the agency reports.

There were 338 secondary applications for CTE endorsements last year. So far this year, the number is 171 but “similar to the growth in programming, we anticipate continued growth in applications,” O’Rourke said. 

The following lists detail the $35.9 million approved by the ICRS council

Existing Programs

• Notus School District #135 – Welding Program $27,000
• Hansen School District #415 – Applied Accounting Program $25,530
• Murtaugh School District #418 – Ag Education Program $20,324
• Marsh Valley School District #21 – Automotive Service Technician and Mechanics $5,347
• COSSA #555 – Automotive-Diesel Program Equipment Upgrades $56,721
• Whitepine Joint School District #288 – Multi-Program Equipment Upgrades $47,871
• Mullan School District #392 – Mullan Welding Program Equipment Upgrades $61,248
• Oneida County School District #351 – CNC Plasma System $28,622
• Council School District #013 – Ag Facility Equipment Upgrades $23,000
• Wallace School District #393 – Welding & Wood Shop Equipment Upgrades $23,440
• Castleford School District #417 – Welding Program Upgrades $22,250
• Marsh Valley School District #21 – Welding Program Upgrades $32,617
• Bear Lake School District #033 – Automotive Technology Equipment Upgrades $17,195

New Programs

• Potlatch School District #285 – Forestry and Natural Resources Program $989,198
• Firth School District #59 – Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Program $25,375
• Shelley School District #60 – Welding Program $55,457
• Orofino Joint School District #171 – Natural Resources & Forestry Pathway $528,100
• West Bonner School District #083 – CTE Natural Resources Pathway $725,240

Capital Projects

• Midvale School District #433 – Ag Education Facility Expansion $1,058,000
• Minidoka School District #331 – CTE Facility $4,900,000
• Pocatello-Chubbuck School District #25 – CTE Campus (PV-TEC) $6,500,000
• Kimberly School District #414 – Ag Education Facility Expansion $1,320,000
• Cassia County School District #151 – Diesel Program Facility $1,659,491
• Wilder School District #133 – Ag Education Facility Expansion $301,487
• Blackfoot School District #55 – CTE Center (BTEC) $3,898,071
• Sugar-Salem School District #322 – Multi-Program CTE Facility $2,700,000
• Soda Springs School District #150 – Multi-Program CTE Facility $370,960
• New Plymouth School District #372 – New Ag Education Building $2,272,799
• Cascade School District #422 – Ag Welding Shop HVAC/Electrical Upgrades $16,361
• Firth School District #59 – Ag Shop Upgrades $103,299
• Hansen School District #415 – Animal Science Pathway Facility $71,309
• Middleton School District #134 – Multi-Program CTE Facility $1,124,800
• Fremont County School District #215 – Greenhouse Facility $253,120
• Jefferson School District #251 – Multi-Program CTE Facility $5,300,000
• St. Maries Joint School District #041 – Multi-Program CTE Facility $1,280,934

It’s a straightforward request.

Idaho Education News wants emails, texts and other public records containing the words “Project Neptune:” the code phrase for the University of Idaho’s proposed University of Phoenix purchase.

But straightforward does not mean inexpensive. The U of I wants to charge EdNews nearly $2,400 before it will release the “Project Neptune” paper trail.

“The university will not expend the time and resources necessary to identify, gather, and review responsive records at the risk of taxpayer funds; consequently, you will be required to deliver advance payment in certified funds in the amount of $2,370.95, before the university commences this process,” Karl Klein, a senior associate general counsel for the U of I, said in an email to Idaho EdNews Friday.

Idaho’s law reads as follows: “There is a presumption that all public records in Idaho are open at all reasonable times for inspection.” The law requires agencies to cover up to two hours of staff time to process records requests. Agencies can bill to cover additional costs — but they are not required to do so.

The U of I, Idaho’s land-grant institution, is one of the largest public agencies in the state. Its 2023-24 budget of $189.6 million comes largely from state tax dollars and student tuition and fees.

What we know about ‘Project Neptune’

First off, it doesn’t look like the U of I coined “Project Neptune.”

Phoenix — a massive for-profit online school serving some 85,000 students — used “Neptune” as a code name as it quietly explored a possible sale to the University of Arkansas, the Arkansas Times reported in February.

In February, the U of I began looking at a Phoenix purchase — and soon latched onto the phrase preferred by the publicity-averse private university.

U of I legal counsel Kent Nelson and vice president of finance and administration Brian Foisy use the phrase in early March emails, obtained by EdNews through a previous public records request. So does State Board member Bill Gilbert. And so do officials from Tyton Partners, the New York-based financial advisers Phoenix hired to work on a sale.

Those emails prompted a followup public records request.

EdNews’ records request

On Nov. 15, EdNews requested “any emails, text messages or internal or external documents containing the phrase ‘Project Neptune,’” from Jan. 1 through June 30. The request focused on the U of I’s upper management: President C. Scott Green’s office; Provost Torrey Lawrence’s office; Nelson’s office of general counsel; and Foisy’s division of finance and administration. (EdNews limited a previous records request to these four offices, at the U of I’s suggestion, in order to focus the scope of that previous request. The U of I fulfilled this previous request free of charge.)

On Friday — the U of I’s deadline to respond to the Nov. 15 request — the university delivered only an email and an invoice.

In his email, Klein did say the university had identified at least 4,000 documents that might fall within EdNews’ request, including 2,073 emails. He said the U of I would first need to review each email before then reviewing other documents, such as attachments to the emails.

The U of I says attorneys would need to spend 35 hours reviewing these documents — at labor costs of $64.29 an hour — before releasing the records. The lawyers’ fees account for the bulk of the U of I’s bill.

And Klein said “many, if not most” of the records would be exempt from release anyway — falling under attorney-client privilege and/or trade secrets and proprietary information. Since spring, most of the State Board and U of I discussions with Phoenix have remained cloaked in secrecy, because Phoenix insisted that the public entities enter into non-disclosure agreements. These agreements remain intact.

Public records issues at Boise State

The U of I’s records response comes two days after BoiseDev broke an explosive story about public records issues at Boise State University.

Don Day’s Nov. 29 article outlined a series of allegations Boise State associate vice president Nicole Nimmons leveled in a court deposition. Nimmons said the university renamed a Google Drive document titled “Big City Coffee,” the name of a coffee shop suing Boise State. The document was renamed “B C C,” which means it wouldn’t turn up in a public records search for “Big City Coffee.” (According to Day’s report, Nimmons said the change was made by Lauren Griswold, Boise State’s chief communications and marketing officer. Griswold is a member of Boise State President Marlene Tromp’s executive team, and at $264,160 per year, is one of the university’s highest-paid employees.)

Nimmons also said university officials were instructed to keep some politically sensitive topics out of public records, Day reported.

Day’s article also outlined several public records disputes between BoiseDev and Boise State. He cited EdNews’ records disputes with Boise State — including the university’s short-lived attempt to bill EdNews more than $700 for emails mentioning controversial political science professor Scott Yenor.

In an EdNews interview Monday, Tromp answered questions about the BoiseDev report — and the university’s approach to public records requests.

“There’s not an effort to direct people to be surreptitious,” Tromp said during the taping of an EdNews podcast interview.

Tromp declined to talk in detail about the Big City Coffee records, citing the shop’s ongoing lawsuit against Boise State. She didn’t directly say whether she has spoken to her staff about BoiseDev’s report, but says she has talked to staff “on many occasions” about how the university responds to records requests.

Tromp noted that she assigned a staff member to field records requests in a consistent and timely manner. “It (isn’t) just some add on to somebody’s job.”

But Tromp also said she expects employees to be careful about what they put in an email.

“To tell people to be judicious. I think, is totally appropriate,” she said.

Coming Friday: In the next Kevin Richert Podcast, Tromp and Boise State senior officials discuss an ambitious capital campaign, enrollment, Statehouse politics and public records.

Further reading: Do you have questions about the proposed Phoenix purchase? Get answers here.

Petra Kennedy, a Moscow High School senior who’s among Idaho’s semifinalists, said, “My drive for excellence comes from my family. I’m interested in academics because my mom and dad instilled a sense of curiosity and determination in me early on … but past that, I’ve had some very inspirational teachers.”

Her classmate, Max Pieper, 17, is motivated to succeed because he truly enjoys learning about different topics and “making connections between them.” With plans to attend the Naval Academy, Pieper has a keen interest in foreign relations, like the tension between Taiwan and China. 

“I’ve always been interested in … how different factors can influence countries’ actions. Seeing the political maneuvering and how the economics of Taiwan’s semiconductor industry ties into it is really fascinating to me,” Pieper said.

The nationwide pool of semifinalists represents less than one percent of all U.S. high school seniors. The number of semifinalists in a state is proportional to the state’s percentage of the national total of graduating seniors. The program selected 100 Idaho students.

Thirty-four percent of the state’s total number of semifinalists are from the Boise School District. “Congratulations to the students who have earned recognition as a national semifinalist and honored for their academic ability,” said Coby Dennis, Boise School District superintendent.

The following six high schools boasted the highest number of semifinalists: Boise High School, 16; Timberline High School, 15; Renaissance High School, 8; Moscow High School, 5; Cole Valley Christian High School, 4; Idaho Falls High School, 4; Bishop Kelly High School, 4.

Seventeen-year-old Kieran Long said, “I don’t really know where my ‘drive for excellence’ comes from. My parents encouraged me to do well in school, but that doesn’t cover everything. I try to do well in school simply because I know I can, and it feels disappointing to not do as well as I know I can.”

The scholarship program is an annual academic competition among high school students for recognition and college scholarships. Millions of students vie for admission to the program and scholarships worth nearly $28 million. As they traverse the program, students are awarded status levels: commended, semifinalist, finalist and finally merit scholars. Scholarship winners are announced in the spring.

To become a finalist, semifinalists must submit a detailed scholarship application that includes an academic record, participation in school and community activities, demonstrated leadership abilities, employment, and honors and awards received. 

Long hasn’t selected a specific academic path because he enjoys every subject. “I want to use college to figure out what I am truly interested in and what I want to do for the rest of my life,” he said.

Mason Bledsoe plans to study aerospace engineering with a focus on propulsion technology. “My drive for excellence mostly comes from my interests. I just happen to be really fascinated by topics that are covered in school.”

2024 Idaho National Merit Scholarship Program Semifinalists 

BOISE HIGH SCHOOL

Taelyn J. Baiza

Sophia Y. Chen

Adriana M. Curtis 

Reece J. Deidrick

Fiona A. Fleisher 

Lauren E. Gee

Noe H. Kemper

Avery Lott

Lauren E. Olsen

Tyson E. Russell

Keyton S. Smith

Nicholas Thomas

Cory Thomas-Liddle

James Welcker 

Megan Wolin

Oliver T. Wroten

CAPITAL HIGH SCHOOL

Sophia Bourgeau

Anthony Donegan

Luke O. McKinney

CENTENNIAL HIGH SCHOOL

Christopher Dunkley

HOMESCHOOL

Zelia M. Vidales

Ellyn L. Tran 

BISHOP KELLY HIGH SCHOOL

Wesley B. Barton

Ryan A. Buckner

Isaac V. Pettyjohn

Hoyoon Song

RIVERSTONE INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL

Fiona Van De Graaff

TIMBERLINE HIGH SCHOOL

Ibrahim Ahmad

Garrett T. Eppich

Isaac Estrada

Austin J. Giffen

Jaya Kasthuri

Bhavya Kistupati

Hayoon Lee

Elena Li

Nathan X. Li

Stephanie Liu

Margaret McCormick

Kahlil Monje

Alessandra Truax

Forrest Zeng

Kevin Zhu

COEUR D’ALENE CHARTER ACADEMY

Henry DePew

Abigail Moehring

COEUR D’ALENE HIGH SCHOOL

Jameson J. Dale

Andrew C. Hubbard

Isabella O. Le

EAGLE HIGH SCHOOL

Annalise DeMange

Nikita Didenko

Tristan Walker

WOOD RIVER HIGH SCHOOL

Lucas A. Smith

IDAHO FALLS HIGH SCHOOL

Victor S. Huang 

Alexander B. Kingma

Grace E. Madsen

Katelyn G. Traynor

THUNDER RIDGE HIGH SCHOOL

Samuel C. Spencer

KIMBERLY HIGH SCHOOL

Mallory Otto

KUNA HIGH SCHOOL

James M. Leckie 

MCCALL-DONNELLY HIGH SCHOOL

George Speirs

AMBROSE SCHOOL

Krystin A. Collingwood

COLE VALLEY CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL

Micah P. Hatfield

Rinoa J. Oliver

Jacob Parnell

Brandon M. Vander Stelt

MERIDIAN MEDICAL ARTS CHARTER

Bekir Swidan

MERIDIAN TECHNICAL CHARTER HIGH SCHOOL

Joshua Richmond

MOUNTAIN VIEW HIGH SCHOOL

Gavin S. Keller

OWYHEE HIGH SCHOOL

Micah Palin

RENAISSANCE HIGH SCHOOL

Cameron Z. Beaver

Hannah Beaver

Colman Lee

Brooklyn D. Lewis

Lucy Porter

Logan S. Ray

Hannah Scoville

Johnathan Van Vliet

ROCKY MOUNTAIN HIGH SCHOOL

Rachel Roberts

MOSCOW HIGH SCHOOL

Mason Bledsoe

Petra Kennedy

Kieran Long

Max Pieper

Dylan Taylor

MOUNTAIN HOME HIGH SCHOOL

Gareth P. Brantley

SKYVIEW HIGH SCHOOL

Melissa Eyer

CENTURY HIGH SCHOOL

Josh T. Agres

Evelyn R. Brittin

HIGHLAND HIGH SCHOOL

Ellie G. Burnside

Elise L. Wood

POCATELLO HIGH SCHOOL

Elijah C. Buchanan

Clare M. Earnest

Caleb A. Jensen

CLASSICAL CHRISTIAN ACADEMY

Michael P. Bell

MADISON HIGH SCHOOL

Camilla J. Cullimore

Casey Donahoo

Elena M. Pack

SANDPOINT HIGH SCHOOL

Keane J. Haesle

TWIN FALLS HIGH SCHOOL

Benjamin T. Rands

Zachariah L. Swensen

Mason B. Ward

XAVIER CHARTER SCHOOL

Anna Aiello

They voted 5-0 to switch board chairs, selecting Mike Waggoner to replace Greg McKenzie.

Waggoner, elected in November 2022, is a political ally of McKenzie and trustee Todd Banducci. All three have run with the backing of the Kootenai County Republican Central Committee, comprising a majority bloc on an often-divided board of trustees.

But on Nov. 20, the motion for a change came from a trustee who is often at odds with the central committee-backed bloc.

“Board leadership and board governance continues to be a problem,” said trustee Tarie Zimmerman, noting the continuing accreditation questions that plague NIC.

Zimmerman praised Waggoner’s work and preparation on the trustees’ policy committee. “He can grab us all together and develop some consensus.”

Waggoner quickly expressed his interest in the move.

“I think I can add some value here,” he said. “We need unity and collaboration among our board members and the administration.”

McKenzie then voiced his support, saying Waggoner “would make a great chair.”

After the unanimous vote, Waggoner and McKenzie switched spots at the dais.

“Come take a seat,” McKenzie said to Waggoner, to some applause from the audience.

More details on the meeting from KREM TV in Spokane, Wash.

MOSCOW — It’s hard to believe a standout Vandal basketball player like the imposing 6-foot-7-inch, 220-pound freshman forward Takai Hardy was ignored at recess by his elementary school classmates.

But he was. And that childhood experience helps him connect with young people going through something similar.

Hardy is one of 17 Vandal players spending time with fifth graders at John Russell Elementary School through a mentoring program created by Alex Pribble, University of Idaho head men’s basketball coach.

“The mentoring program is very valuable to me because it’s an opportunity to help make a child’s day better… It also reminds me of my early childhood. My favorite part of the program is going out to recess and being there for children who don’t have anyone to play with or talk to. These moments are very impactful to me because at one point I was one of those kids,” Hardy reflected, after meeting with students.

Pribble wants all of his student-athletes to be leaders off the court, and that means learning how to make the people around you better. “This mentoring program is a great opportunity,” he said.

Principal Marianne Sletteland took a chance on Pribble’s players, opening her school to his College Headed and Making Progress (CHAMPS) program. Players meet with 15 students twice a month to help build healthy life habits and help get them excited about the prospect of attending college.

“Every time Vandal players come into this building, I am always greeted personally by every single one of them. It shows that positive behavior that all of our kids need to see. They’re quite the gentlemen,” Sletteland said.

These athletes are taking the opportunity to use their platform to impact the local community is transformative for young players.

Players spend about 40 minutes paired up with a fifth grader, talking about their personal lives and family, their favorite subjects in school, holiday traditions, personal heroes, and a pre-selected theme, like friendship: What does it mean to you? Do you think you’re a friendly person? Who is the friendliest person you know?

During their one-on-one interactions, they talk about compliments they’ve received, compliments they’ve given to others and the things people say when they aren’t being a good friend.

Although they are busy with basketball and college classes, they look forward to this time, Pribble said. “Our players love it.”

Miles Klapper, a freshman guard from California, said the “program is an extremely valuable experience because it allows me to be a part of something bigger than myself and make a real and impactful change in the community. I am able to build a relationship with a kid and help influence him in a positive way.”

But this is a group of young athletes and energetic kids, so understandably the playground and basketball court is pretty popular — basketball, football, tetherball, four-square, and even invented games.

“My favorite part about the program is being able to play outside with the kids and see them smiling and having fun. It brings me back to my childhood and inspires me to be the best role model I can be,” Klapper said.

Sletteland worked with her staff to identify students who would benefit from the big brother relationship: students who are usually alone and who may avoid conversations with peers.

“We looked at kids who needed that connection and somebody to look up to,” she said. “They have been engaged every time they’ve been here. It’s just a tremendous, wonderful thing to see that happen — that dedicated attention to each other.”

As a first-year principal, Sletteland made a goal of connecting with community resources, and U of I — especially the athletic department — has always been one for the community. “So I know how important those are to a lot of our local kids. Then coach Pribble brought this opportunity and then we ran with it. They love it.” 

Many of the players are not from Idaho and Sletteland believes they’re gaining “insight” about the struggles some families face.

“My school is unique in that we have a higher free and reduced lunch rate. So we have some families who struggle financially and a good portion of the kids that they’re working with are in those families,” she said. 

Tre Blassingame, a 6-foot-4-inch guard from Washington, said, “I feel CHAMPS is valuable because it gives me an opportunity to have a positive impact in a child’s life and it also helps me be grateful for my own family and my own blessings.”

As the players leave, Sletteland said they usually part with the same farewell message: “They always say, ‘goodbye, big people,’ and then they yell, ‘goodbye, little people.’ It’s just a heartwarming thing to watch.”

As the West Bonner school board welcomed new trustees and a new interim superintendent, the atmosphere at Wednesday’s meeting was noticeably genial and relaxed.

“Multiple people that were there said, and I noticed too, that the atmosphere has changed and it really feels like we are starting to rebuild now,” said Kylie Hoepfer, a parent and member of a group that worked together to recall the two trustees who were replaced Wednesday. 

Unlike previous meetings where patrons directed frustration and anger at trustees, those who spoke were positive and appreciative that “the community is feeling heard.” Much of the past discord stemmed from hiring Branden Durst as superintendent in June, a decision that created months of contention between the community and board. The board accepted Durst’s resignation last month.

“It’s time to come together,” said interim superintendent Joe Kren.

For the first time since the August recall, the board had five trustees present. Paul Turco and Ann Yount were sworn in Wednesday to serve out the term of recalled trustees Keith Rutledge and Susan Brown. Current trustees Troy Reinbold and Margaret Hall were reelected Nov. 7, but Carlyn Barton lost her bid to newcomer Kathy Nash.

The board members then got right down to business, addressing a forensic audit, self-curing several open meeting violations, and meeting in executive session about student and employee matters.

The forensic audit

Trustee Margaret Hall said the district’s forensic auditor, Eide Bailly, has all necessary documents for phase one and their results “should be forthcoming.” Trustees hired the firm in July to conduct the audit, which has faced delays because of the district’s inability to acquire bank statements.

Kren said, “They have done everything they need to do at this point. And they have assured us that they’re working hard to get things done. So the fact that they’re on the agenda, but they’re not here tonight, I own that, that’s part of my transition.”

Open meeting violations

The board self-recognized two open meeting law violations and passed motions to self-cure or re-do the action:

• The first violation occurred at the Aug. 22 meeting. Trustee Carlyn Barton said proper 24-hour notice was not given for a meeting that did “not necessitate an emergency.” An emergency meeting was called in response to a letter from the State Board of Education that outlined several compliance violations. The board declared an emergency and directed Durst to apply for an emergency provisional certificate. They unanimously declared their action to be null and void.

• The second violation occurred at the Sept 5 meeting. The board failed to hold a public meeting to approve changes in the amended contract addendum of an employee “that do not comport with prior board decisions.” They unanimously declared their action to be null and void.

Kren noted the district office is without both a clerk and business manager, which complicates their ability to submit state reports in a timely manner. 

“No applicants applied for the open business manager position. A school business official is a rare breed and the only ones you find are either employed or retired,” he said.

Executive session

The board made a motion to recess for executive session. They remained in executive session for more than an hour and half before making a motion to take action. At that time, trustees:

• Unanimously passed a motion to approve early graduation for student A.
• Unanimously passed a motion  to accept the resignation of employee A.
• Unanimously passed a motion to approve district legal counsel to work on an agreement for employee B.
• Unanimously passed a motion to approve a legal agreement concerning former employee A, “as revised as discussed in executive session.”

On the one-year anniversary of the murders of Kaylee Goncalves, Xana Kernodle, Madison Mogen and Ethan Chapin, a large group gathered on the University of Idaho campus to share tears, hugs and heartfelt memories of the young lives that ended Nov. 13, 2022.

A typical Sunday morning morphed into “shock, anger and sadness” as news of the brutal slayings spread, said Tanner McClain, UI student president. The deaths cast a pall over the campus as students came to grips with what had occurred.

Heather Blaschka, of Pi Beta Phi, said she’ll never forget that horrible day. The four students who were killed meant “so much to so many people,” and the loss was staggering.
Blaschka listed many of Mogen’s attributes, describing her as kind, loving, driven, stunning and outgoing, and “most of all — bright. The light she brought can never be replaced,” Blaschka said.

Madison Whitney, of Alpha Phi, read notes from other sorority sisters about Goncalves. No words can make this day any less hard, she read, but Goncalves’ contagious laugh, kindness and beauty will always be cherished. She was true, loyal, dedicated and “loved big,” Whitney said.

Zanna Miller, of Pi Beta Phi, said Kernodle made a crucial impact on the UI community. She was a ball of energy, vibrant, adventurous, kind, charming and one of a kind, Miller said.
“No one ever had a negative thing to say about Xana,” Miller said.

She remembers waking up that Sunday to 27 missed messages and feeling scared and confused. Evil becomes much more real when it happens next to you, she said.
“I vividly remember my FaceTime call to my parents that night,” Miller said.

The murders were difficult to process for everyone, Miller said. In the weeks that followed, the sorority house became quiet, and the campus was dark.

However, over the months, love spread throughout the tight-knit community, and people began to heal, Miller said. They are able to laugh again, look at pictures and talk about their friends without constantly crying.

“Her love lives in this community,” Miller said of Kernodle.

D.J. Myers, of Sigma Chi, spoke about Chapin and his optimism. He was happy, generous, compassionate and loved life. “He effortlessly put everyone around him in a good mood.”

Myers said he misses Kernodle’s hugs and is focusing on the good times with his friends. The strength and perseverance of the Vandal family has been an incredible support system for students, he said.

McClain agreed, saying light always perseveres. He thanked the staff, faculty, administration, governor and law enforcement, as well as other universities and alumni, for the continued support. He also praised the victims’ families for displaying “grace and poise” in the aftermath of the murders.

The “senseless and horrific tragedy” has served as a reminder to spend time with those you love, McClain said.

No trial date has been set for Bryan C. Kohberger, 28, who is accused of stabbing the four students at 1122 King Road. Kohberger, who entered a not guilty plea through the judge, remains in custody of the Latah County Jail.

Kerri Sandaine of the Lewiston Tribune wrote this story. You can follow her on X at @newsfromkerri.

RATHDRUM — Idaho seniors Kameron Martinez and Wally Rohr won’t be attending college after graduation, but they’re not traveling for a gap year or sitting idle at home.

Backed by extensive workforce training during high school, Martinez and Rohr are preparing for a postsecondary journey that most 17-year-olds would never dream of — becoming automotive entrepreneurs. In addition to attending high school, both attend Kootenai Technical Education Center, Martinez in welding and metal fabrication, and Rohr in automotive technology. Martinez attends Kootenai Bridge Academy and Rohr Venture Academy.

According to the State Board of Education, last year about 42% of Idaho’s high school graduates — or about 8,500 students — enrolled in college academic or career-technical programs immediately after graduating from high school. Martinez and Rohr will join the 58% on a different path.

Soon they will be launching Elite Mobile Automotive & Weld of North Idaho. They created an LLC, purchased business insurance, are working on an IRS employer identification number, are setting up a business bank account with $5,000 of their own capital and are pursuing a roadside assistance permit. They have a donated 24 x 8 foot trailer and will seek a loan for a company truck.

 “Our main thing is we don’t want to have to work for someone for the rest of our lives. And if we can start a company younger, it’d be better than starting when we’re in our mid-20s or 30s,” Martinez said.

KTEC is a partnership between business, local manufacturers, and the Coeur d’Alene, Post Falls and Lakeland school districts. They provide industry training for juniors and seniors in 13 career disciplines, like plumbing, nursing and construction trades.

Rohr credits KTEC for much of his technical knowledge and automotive interest. He’s disassembled and reassembled an engine, rebuilt transmissions, lifted beds off the back of pickup trucks, installed fuel pumps, overhauled front-ends and fixed axle seals.

“That showed me that it’s not as difficult as I thought,” Rohr said.

On the welding side, Martinez is involved in steel work for trucks or cars, and wire feed, stick and TIG welding, which is all three forms, Martinez said. “There are many different roads that you can go down.”

The college path isn’t for everyone. “I don’t see the opportunity cost to go to college, in my mind, making me successful in 20 years for what I want to do,” Rohr said. “It would make more sense in my eyes to go straight into the work field right out of high school.”

Martinez feels more pressure to attend college but a welding certification is an opportunity that he won’t pass up. “I don’t want student debt for however many years after high school. I’d rather just start my business now while I have my certification,” he said.

Their mobile automotive repair business will target customers who need a mechanic but want to avoid costly towing, like a pickup truck with a broken CV axle in the backcountry. They will provide automotive welding and body repair services.

“They could call us and we would be able to get out to them and fix anything that they need,” Martinez said.

They’ve been working since the age of 14. Rohr started in sandblasting and powder coating car parts, then food service and now he’s an ignition servicer and accessory installer making $19 an hour working 32 hours per week. Martinez started as a marina dock lead fueling and servicing boats and he’s now in the shipping department at Impact Dog Crates making $20 an hour working 30 hours per week.

On his first day as West Bonner’s interim superintendent, Joe Kren placed a crucifix on the wall, took out the trash, sat at his desk and started fixing problems.

And there’s no shortage of problems.

School board trustees hired Spokane-based Eide Bailly in July to conduct a forensic audit that isn’t done yet, which will likely cause the state to withhold an estimated $1.5 million in “school support payments” this month, according to district financial documents. The financial shortfall is temporary but it’s another setback for a district besieged by months of controversy.

Until the matter is resolved, Kren said the district will cover the shortfall with the general fund. The state’s withholding stems from the district’s unfinished financial audit. The accounting firm handling their 2022 audit was unwilling to start working on it until the forensic audit was complete. The withheld payment could be distributed once their financial audit is finished and submitted.

Eide Bailly is scheduled to provide trustees with an update on the forensic audit Wednesday at their board meeting.

Superintendent Debbie Critchfield said in a statement, “Staff at the State Department of Education have been in extensive contact with officials in the West Bonner district for several months. Since his appointment by local trustees, superintendent Kren has reached out to me and requested that the department continue to offer input and guidance to help the district navigate its current challenges. Department staff have been in touch with him and will meet with him next week.”

Kren carries around a yellow notepad with lists of items that need to be addressed — he’s on page seven.

After consulting with his wife, he decided that if the board asks him to step in, “I will commit to it. This place means too much to me. I’ve only been here for a short time. But the people that I have worked with in this district, I will gladly put up against anybody else out there.” 

Kren, who has an Idaho superintendent’s certificate, was hired on a 90-day contract to lead West Bonner. Now, he and trustees are tasked with getting the district back on track in the wake of superintendent Branden Durst’s four-month tenure and the aftermath of two recalled trustees. Kren brings 22 years administrative experience to the job — 13 as superintendent and four as principal.

“I’m hopeful that the hiring of an experienced and legally qualified superintendent will bring the district the stability it needs,” Critchfield said.

Last Tuesday, West Bonner voters retained incumbent trustees Maragret Hall and Troy Reinbold but they did not re-elect Carlyn Barton. When the five-person board convenes in January for the first time, the trustees will be Hall, Reinbold, Kathy Nash, Paul Turco and Ann Yount. Turco and Yount were appointed to serve out the term of the two recalled trustees.

“It’s time to come together,” Kren said, about moving past the dysfunction and division of the past year.

Topping Kren’s priority list are their compliance deficiencies. 

“We are out of compliance on several fronts,” Kren said, describing the problems as fiduciary, statutory and district policies. 

On the fiduciary side, “one of the big things is getting the audit done. We need to take care of the forensic audit, as well as our financial audit, and those are two key issues that need to be taken care of and addressed before a lot of the other fiscal issues can be addressed,” he said.

According to comments made at their previous board meeting, the audit is delayed because the district is unable to obtain financial statements from its bank.

“I welcome it being done so that we can move on,” he said. “I know that our board … has said we welcome the forensic audit. So what that tells me is they welcome whatever the results of the forensic audit are. And if there are findings to be addressed, then we will address them.”

To cover expenses while the audit is being completed, they will use the fund balance, which is about $2.9 million, according to district financial documents. “So the clock is ticking. we have to get this financial audit done, so that those funds can be released,” Kren said.

In Kren’s opinion, the board will have to consider running a supplemental levy. The next election opportunity is in May. He will also recommend that the district extend his contract through the end of the school year. His current contract ends March 20. To see a copy of that contract, use this link.

While there are plenty of administrative challenges ahead for Kren, he attempted to improve morale from day one.

“My amazing bride made a whole bunch of food for folks. It was waiting for them when they got here that morning, because I got here before everybody else. And as luck would have it, the administrators had a pre-scheduled meeting here at the district office. So I was able to meet with my admin and when they came in, the food was waiting for them.

“In order to address morale, I have been in every building and probably 90% of the classrooms. I’ve talked to everybody I can and I’ve told them how much I appreciate their trust in me. And I’m here to champion their cause. And every opportunity I’ve had to do that privately and publicly, I’ve been doing that,” Kren said.

TROY — Ranked highly successful academically, tiny Troy School District in North Idaho sits among the largest and best performing districts in the state.

Troy scored better than 105 districts in English language arts and 101 districts in math, out of 115 school districts. And for the past six years, Troy’s math and English scores rank in or near the top 10. When this year’s Idaho Standards Achievement Test results were released, Troy was listed — again — among the highest performers, 13 spots higher than West Ada in English language arts and six spots higher in math.

But these two highly successful districts exist in different worlds. 

If you didn’t have a reason to stop in Troy, you would drive right through the rural bedroom community, barely noticing. Moscow is 12 miles west. Troy’s enrollment of 320 students is less than 1% of West Ada’s 39,000; there are 2,200 teachers in West Ada and 22 in Troy; and Troy’s budget is $282 million less, at just under $4 million. 

Behind the town’s modest facade is a unique school culture that’s embraced a proven collaborative model and accountability to the community it serves.

“It’s fun and healthy to look at where we are at (academically) versus other districts,” said superintendent Klaire Vogt. “The support we receive from the community tells us the community has high expectations.”

Everyone has multiple roles

Many on staff fill multiple roles. “Nobody does just one thing,” said Vogt, who’s also the special education director, federal programs director and elementary school principal.

The K-12 counselor is the testing coordinator, homeless liaison and the college and career advisor. The high school principal is also the junior high school principal. The elementary school secretary is also a testing coordinator and helps with food service at lunchtime.

Teacher turnover is slim to none, Vogt said. “We live in a happy little bubble and nobody believes me.” 

Eight of the district’s 22 teachers graduated from Troy High School and three school board trustees — Pam Hilliard, Wendy Fredrickson and Kyle Osborne — also attended.

“There’s a strong connection between the school and our community,” Vogt said. “And maybe this is the benefit of having a small school but each of those kiddos count as a face. We know each of them and we don’t want anything less than the best for them. Whatever level they’re at, we want them to grow, and we expect that out of them.”

A culture of success

Vogt and high school principal Aaron Dail say community support, a collaborative culture and Beyond Textbooks underpin their success. Beyond Textbooks aligns their focus so they are working toward common goals and standards — a common approach among multiple disciplines.

“We do not have to reinvent the wheel every school year, or at each meeting because we have target goals that guide our practice and help us to band together when we face adversity. This helps to create a sense of unity among our staff that does not view our students as ‘history students’ or ‘math students’ but rather spurs us to look at new ways to support our students in achieving their mastery and creating successful habits,” Dail said.

The partnership with Beyond Textbooks costs the district around $10,000 annually. Year-one costs can vary depending on the size of your district. It takes Idaho standards and aligns them completely from kindergarten through 12th grade. It’s described as an instructional program of curriculum development, instructional improvement, student assessment and multi-level interventions. 

“The framework tells you what you need to teach (which standards) and when to teach it,” Vogt said. “You’ll hear other districts say things like ‘well, we use this curriculum.’ No, we teach the standard. And I think that’s the difference.”

Using the program establishes district-wide expectations for what teachers should teach and what students should learn, in relation to a specific standard. After a 10-day lesson, for example, a formative assessment informs the next steps: Poor performers automatically join the reteach group and those who mastered the content receive enrichment that is built into the master calendar.

“You’re not going off and doing something else,” Vogt said.

Dail agrees: There’s a “commitment from all staff and faculty to work towards our shared goals, to communicate progress, to continue to reteach when students struggle and push students to enrichment when they have found mastery.” 

The community is committed to excellence. “We have great participation with our parents at conferences, committees and extracurricular activities.  Together this helps our school understand the basic values of the community and helps to encourage our staff and administration to hold students to high standards,” Dail said.

Vogt said the school is the hub of their community and they’ve made a commitment. “We certainly do not do excuses. It’s very personal among all the staff.”

Reaching high standards is not without great effort.  “We have tried to communicate the importance of focusing on the process and not get too stressed out on the outcomes. We have found that when students learn how to embrace challenges, they are more apt to find success towards the end of the school year.  Our community has been supportive in this process,” Dail said.

When a patron enters the school, they read a passage printed on the wall that sums up their approach:  “Let us respect this building, as these walls were a gift from the Patrons of our community who saw each of us as a dream and a vision for the future!  Let the future of these walls develop lives full of integrity and value.”

Listed here are three categories showing Troy’s performance in last year’s ISAT. The district is consistently a top performer on statewide assessments.

EdNews Data Analyst Randy Schrader contributed to this report. 

Investigators will be at the house on King Road today and Wednesday, as they work to create visual and audio exhibits and a physical model of the murder scene, the U of I said in a news release this morning.

It will take months to build a visual exhibit, and the FBI would not have been able to finish the work in time for an October murder trial. But with the trial now on indefinite hold, and with personal property cleared out of the house, the FBI will take the time to take measurements and collect images of the house.

Four students — Ethan Chapin, 20, of Mount Vernon, Wash.; Kaylee Goncalves, 21, of Rathdrum; Xana Kernodle, 20, of Post Falls; and Madison Mogen, 21, of Coeur d’Alene — were found slain on Nov. 13, the victims of multiple stab wounds.

Bryan Kohberger, a Washington State University graduate student, has been charged with first-degree murder in connection with the slayings.

The owner of the house donated the property to the U of I in February. The university plans to demolish the house, but those plans are on hold. The demolition will not occur this semester.

SANDPOINT — Sixteen-year-old Josh Holub has never read a book but he will as soon as he masters Braille, a written language for the blind.

And thanks to a $2,500 grant from the Panhandle Alliance for Education, there’s now a novel in the Lake Pend Oreille Alternative High School library waiting for that day — although Josh’s book is unlike any other on the shelves.

Gary Paulsen’s adventure novel “Brian’s Winter” is a relatively short, 176-page book. The Braille version is four times its size and 2 inches thicker. It has to be. Each page contains dozens of grid patterns of raised dots, representing letters of the alphabet, numbers and punctuation marks.

Josh will one day read the novel by moving his fingers over those patterns to discern words and sentences. He’s not entirely blind but reading words in novels and textbooks is nearly impossible and the eyestrain could trigger a seizure. He views the world through a small tunnel in the upper right quadrant of his eye.

During elementary school, Holub dutifully checked out books with his classmates on library day but “it was pointless for me because they’re for sighted people,” he said. “I wanted to check out a book that I can actually read.”

His desire to check out and read a book from his high school library inspired the grant request, which was written by librarian Sandy Lange. The grant will pay for a section of audio, Braille and large-print books, and a magnifier for sight-impaired students or those with dyslexia. They’re currently selecting and ordering books.

The new addition will be called the “Josh Section,” and he’s proud that his actions inspired the school to find a solution, because students in the future who need reading resources will have them. 

Lake Pend’s library materials budget is $400 annually; Sandpoint’s is $4,100 and Clark Fork is $560. “It has been the practice at Lake Pend Oreille School District to set the amounts via a formula based on school enrollment. Some districts follow a similar process and others determine allocations other ways,” said Brian Walllace, the district’s CFO.

Josh enjoys listening to mystery novels, history and nonfiction books. And he loves the Kansas City Chiefs and 1980s music. He recently attended an REO Speedwagon concert.

The first sight-impaired student

Josh is Lake Pend high school’s first sight-impaired student. He attends the alternative school because of the 14 to 1, student to teacher ratio. There are about 90 students in the school. He will spend a portion of his high school years learning Braille and developing academic independence.

“He forced us to change and think outside the box, finding a way to adapt and create meaningful, rigorous education for him,” said principal Luke Childers.

Rachael Osborne, a vision specialist paraprofessional, works exclusively with Josh, attending classes and translating assignments into Braille and large print. She’s working to attain a national certification in Braille.

Childers describes his school as a big family. Providing rigorous instruction and ensuring he engaged with the student population and the school culture were concerns, he said.

“If you’re not part of the family, it doesn’t work as well. And I believe that’s worked out very well for him. He’s engaged with other students and staff members to a high level, and we’re meeting him where he’s at and providing rigor for him,” Childers said.

PRIEST RIVER — The West Bonner School District gained positive traction Monday with two milestones: Trustees hired an experienced interim superintendent and filled two board vacancies.

Following the official resignation of Branden Durst last week, the board voted unanimously to hire Joe Kren as interim superintendent under a 90-day contract. In September, Durst made a public announcement of his intention to step down as superintendent but didn’t indicate when that would occur.

The three-person board was unable to address his resignation because a quorum couldn’t be established. Trustee Troy Reinbold’s repeated absences caused the board’s inability to take action. But he attended the last two meetings so board business could be accomplished. Durst was not in Priest River when the board accepted his resignation last week. His four-month tenure from June to October was marked by heated opposition and repeated controversy.

Kren is a former West Bonner principal and former superintendent at Saint Maries Joint School District. A copy of his one-page contract was not made available but interim board chairman Margaret Hall characterized it as “standard.” According to the contract, Kren will stay in the position for 90 working days, which extends his tenure until March 20.

Kren’s appointment was followed by a loud round of applause from the audience.

The board briefly recessed and reconvened to interview five candidates to fill two spots left vacant after the August recall election removed trustees Keith Rutledge and Susan Brown by overwhelming majorities in August. Rutledge and Brown were the driving force behind a number of unpopular decisions.

Zone 4 

Trustees felt both candidates were qualified and would bring value. But because of her involvement with the community and experience with the city council, the board selected Ann Yount to fill the Zone 4 trustee position. Her appointment came on a split 2-1 vote. Reinbold voted against Yount.

“I’d like to thank both of the applicants; you did a great job,” trustee Carlyn Barton said.

Zone 4 candidates were allowed two-minute opening statements, starting with Yount, a well-known school volunteer and longtime Priest River business owner. Wendy Eaton has two children and one-step child in West Bonner schools. She works as a support representative for Classical Conversations, an entity that supports home educators. Both candidates discussed rebuilding unity and improving community involvement.

Trustees Reinbold, Hall and Barton took turns asking a series of eight questions. Among them was “why do you want to serve on the board?”

Yount said, “I love this community. I know so many of the people here and I want to see it succeed.”

Eaton said, “I have a passion for children and to see them succeed. I think that education is very important and it’s getting lost in all the division in the community.” 

Zone 2

In Zone 2, all three candidates brought a lifetime of experience in finance, education, the military, business and coaching. They expressed a desire to establish a board that serves the community, find ways to correct any current financial problems and help students achieve better academic success.

The decision to appoint Paul Turco came down to his passion, deep ties with the community coaching the youth, financial experience and potential to help heal the community’s polarization. Trustees split 2-1 in favor of Turco. Reinbold was the dissenting vote.

Barton said, “It was another pretty close decision.”

“It seemed like everybody who applied tonight is capable of being on the board,” said Reinbold. “Just because of Bradley’s experience, I picked him.”

“Thank you gentlemen for applying and stepping forth,” said Hall.

Donald Paden: “Pride and support brought the community together and it tore it apart.” He noted the need to improve communication with the community, address low ISAT scores, fix distrust the community expresses for the board and improve the district’s financial situation. “We need to come together as a board and regain the trust of the community — that’s vital. I have a personal interest in this with two grandchildren. I am concerned about the track the school is on right now,” he said.

Paul Turco:  “I’m proud of how the community came together. Both sides are showing that they care for the students and that’s a good foundation to build on. The weakness is the misunderstandings.” His top goals include providing explanations for the public about how funding works, focusing on the retention of teachers and helping the community regain its trust in the board. “Simply, I care,” he said.

Brad Cossette: “The five year plan is a well-written document. It’s going to be difficult to make sure someone is there who’s forcing it through to achieve the goals.” He said West Bonner is so much more involved than what’s going on in Spokane schools. “It’s something to be proud of,” he said. “Education has been my life. I want to be able to give back towards it. I’ve seen the great things it’s done for so many kids. I am devoted to helping the kids of this community.”

Hunter Chapin, a U of I student, is the first recipient of the Sigma Chi Foundation’s Ethan Chapin Memorial Scholarship.

Like his brother, Hunter Chapin is a member of Sigma Chi.

“It makes me feel so happy to see that Sigma Chis around the world honor and care for the undergraduates,” Chapin said in a foundation news release. “We are very fortunate to be able to keep Ethan’s legacy through this scholarship for the rest of the Gamma Eta chapter’s days.”

Chapin received the scholarship during a dinner ceremony Wednesday.

“I can’t think of a more deserving and appropriate first recipient of this scholarship than Brother Hunter,” said foundation president and general counsel John Price. “Our entire fraternity was profoundly saddened by this senseless loss of Ethan and the three other students. But with this inaugural award, we are creating a positive act in the wake of this unspeakable tragedy.”

The stabbing victims — Ethan Chapin, 20, of Mount Vernon, Wash.; Kaylee Goncalves, 21, of Rathdrum; Xana Kernodle, 20, of Post Falls; and Madison Mogen, 21, of Coeur d’Alene — were killed in an off-campus house on Nov. 13. Bryan Kohberger, a Washington State University graduate student, has been charged with first-degree murder in connection with the slayings.

Regional accreditors will be back on the North Idaho College campus next week.

The site visit, scheduled for Sunday through Wednesday, will include visits with staff and individual meetings with trustees, KREM TV in Spokane, Wash., reported Wednesday.

NIC trustees and accreditors will meet in a closed-door session Monday morning, the college said in a Thursday news release.

The visit comes as the Coeur d’Alene-based community college continues to operate with its accreditation in jeopardy — a decision that could affect students’ access to financial aid, and their ability to transfer credits to another college.

In July, the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities extended NIC’s accreditation for up to 12 months. But this decision does not take NIC off the hook, since the college still must make a case for remaining accredited.

NWCCU has cited myriad concerns with the college, including high staff turnover and political dysfunction. Amidst the turnover, campus groups have passed numerous statements of no confidence, directed at trustees.

At Wednesday’s board meeting, trustees heard from NIC student body president Michael Habermann, who read a resolution spelling out steps the college must take before student government rescinds its vote of no confidence.

One to-do item involves patching up the working relationship with college President Nick Swayne.

“The board of trustees must work with the college president, and not against him, for the good of NIC,” Habermann said, according to KREM.

Trustees were originally scheduled to go behind closed doors Wednesday to discuss a personnel investigation. But on Wednesday afternoon, the board abruptly yanked the closed meeting from its agenda. (Details on the personnel investigation from the Coeur d’Alene Press.)

The trustees appointed Joe Kren to a 90-day contract as superintendent and agreed to hire legal counsel to negotiate the terms of the resignation with the unnamed person.

Kren is a former Priest River Lamanna High School principal and superintendent of the St. Maries School District.

The decision to accept a resignation came after a 15-minute executive session. The resignation dates referenced were Sept. 19 and Sept. 25. Durst, who attended the meeting by video, publicly announced on Sept. 25 on social media he would resign from his role as West Bonner’s leader and seek an “amicable and fair exit.” Durst did not set a departure date when he made the announcement a month ago and said he’d leave that decision to the board.

Wednesday’s developments follow months of tumult in the North Idaho district, including the August recall of two trustees and the state’s decision to block Durst’s path to an emergency certification to be a superintendent.

Following their cryptic resignation announcement and while trustees prepared to go back into executive session to consider hiring an employee, someone from the audience yelled: “Hold on. There’s something missing here. Is there a name that goes along with that?”

Trustees ignored the question, walked out of the room and back into executive session. There was muted applause, because many in the room assumed it was Durst. His apparent resignation is effective immediately.

Trustees came back after a second executive session and agreed to appoint Kren.

A quorum established

The board held its first meeting since the August recall with all three remaining trustees attending in person. 

The five-member board was reduced to three following the August recall of two board members. The board needs three for a quorum to meet. The Bonner County Sheriff’s Office received a criminal complaint against trustee Troy Reinbold for nonfeasance as a public official, because the board has been unable to meet due to his repeated absences. Reinbold was there in person Wednesday. 

The board scheduled a follow-up meeting Monday at 6 p.m. in the high school cafeteria to interview candidates for the two vacant trustee positions. Monday’s agenda indicates that a selection of new trustees could be made.

The State Department of Education could temporarily withhold a portion of funding because last year’s financial audit is not done, business manager Melissa Reilly told the board. The district is not losing any funding, just facing a delay, she said.

The 2022-23 financial audit is not done because their forensic audit is also not finished. The board voted last summer to conduct a forensic audit. But that’s been delayed by their inability to obtain bank statements from their financial institution. The accounting firm handling the 2022-23 audit would not move forward until the forensic audit is done.

In other action Wednesday, Christina Kenny was hired as the special education director; Alyssa Meyn for English language arts at the junior high school; Steven Bowden as a facilities custodian; and Nicole Cupp as the junior high secretary. The board also accepted the resignation of Reilly, the business manager.

Under new business, the board voted on the following items.

• Approved — develop a notice for the request for quotes for general legal services.
• Approved — develop a notice for the request for quotes for an interim district general legal services.
• Approved — develop a notice for the request for quotes for an interim 2022-23 auditor to pick up where the previous auditor stopped. The district wants to have its audit done by January so they don’t miss the next funding cycle for state money.
• Approved — hire two temporary accountants to help pull together documents to complete the 2022-23 audit.
• Approved — the draft of a continuous improvement plan and community engagement process.
• Approved — an amended 2023-2024 classified salary schedule.
• Approved — amended 2023-2024 administrative salary schedule.
• Approved — funding of winter and spring extracurriculars and co-curriculars up to $250,000. Trustees agreed that this discussion warrants further discussion.
• Tabled — a transportation waiver because the district is having trouble finding bus drivers to help transport students to sporting events. This topic will be discussed at the Monday meeting.
• Approved — add a new contracted cleaning service and district custodial positions. The staff is lean. The district is down by five positions. Five buildings should have 13 workers. There are floors, carpets, 100 toilets, plus urinals and more. Bathrooms are not getting cleaned and this is affecting student and teacher morale. They are overworked and understaffed and it’s really starting to show. There’s a mice problem at the elementary school and mice running over children’s feet.
• Approved — IRWA agreement with a rural water system to be a water operator.
• Approved — community use of school facilities policy, with an added work session in November to review the policy.

The board approved meeting minutes for the following dates:

• June 28, Minutes 
• June 28, Budget Hearing
• July 5, Minutes
• Aug. 16, Minutes
• Aug. 25, Minutes
• Sept. 27, Minutes

The class of 2024 is the first cohort to use Launch, which aims to keep students in Idaho selecting in-demand careers that benefit the state. The postsecondary grant provides up to $8,000 of financial aid.  Students can put their money toward four-year college or community college, career-technical education or job training.

The money is awarded to students one time. Students can receive up to one-half of the initial grant award in the first year of a program. However, for programs that are less than 12 months in length, students can use the full awarded amount in one year.

After speaking with six students attending Kootenai Technical Education Campus that serves Coeur d’Alene, Post Falls and Lakeland school districts, two issues stood out: the state’s outreach efforts need to include more accurate information, and the $8,000 grant helped some seniors choose an in-demand career. 

“I started my application and we need to do my FAFSA before I can finish it, so it’s taking time to do it,” said Kamryn Wixom, 17, a Coeur d’Alene High School senior. She’s interested in crash and collision auto body work. “I’ve been surrounded by cars my whole life and plan to continue,” she said.

Under the frequently asked questions, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is not a program requirement. But the grant only covers 80% — up to $8,000 — of a program’s tuition and fees. Remaining costs like room and board can be paid by other financial aid and scholarships. Most financial aid and scholarships require FAFSA completion.

Jack Guy, 18, a Lake City High School senior, said, “I’ve looked through the application and applied. My mom was the one that mainly filled it out for me, but she did say it was a little difficult.” Guy plans to obtain a commercial driver’s license and join his family driving semis.

“I’m hoping to use the money towards Sage Truck Driving School. This way I’m being trained by well-trained drivers with years of experience. If it can’t be used toward Sage, I’ll apply for Idaho State University or a trade school at North Idaho College,” Guy said.

Launch’s website “Next Steps Idaho” includes resource links for money and financial aid, education and training, an application portal, in-demand jobs, planning for a career and an information center tab. The frequently asked questions section points users to the Idaho Launch resources page. And for questions not answered by the website, email idaholaunch@wdc.idaho.gov, sherawn.reberry@wdc.idaho.gov or cassandra.mansour@wdc.idaho.gov.

Preslie McLaughlin, 17, a Coeur d’Alene senior, plans to be the second person in her immediate family to attend college and hopes to work in the medical field. She’s counting on her parents to help with the application, because the stress of how to pay for college is “definitely on.”

“I’m interested in healthcare because I love the feeling of being able to take care of people. And being the first nurse in my family is something I really want to do,” McLaughlin said. “If I got the money, I would go do my prerequisites at a community college to cover that cost so I can stay in Idaho for the first two years.”

High school counselors and administrators are trying to spread the word by various means but it’s still early in the process. The state started accepting applications on Oct. 3. Initial applications are due by Nov. 30 and the final deadline is April 15. Award letters are expected at the end of December, March and May.

Students appreciate the help schools and counselors provide. Lake City notified parents through email and there are “application days” planned at most schools where seniors can apply for Launch and other scholarships. At K-Tech, an application day is scheduled in November. Sandpoint High School is partnering with the English department this week to provide seniors with time to apply for Launch and the Opportunity Scholarship.

“At first I never really listened to the Idaho Launch guidance because I never thought about going to college, but I came across an opportunity that it could help with, so I reached out to Ms. (Kristin) Parker and she helped a lot,” said Trevor Rodda, 17, of Coeur d’Alene.

Rodda is planning a career in the construction industry. “I have always had interest in building things, whether it was with Legos or raw materials I would find outside. I plan to spend the money through North Idaho College in their construction management class that they are starting next fall,” Rodda said.

Lake City senior Ben Crespo, 17, plans to ask his parents for help with the application. He’s looking to specialize in automotive engines or manufacturing. “I’ve always been interested in cars and only in the past four to five years have I been interested in how they work. With the grant money, I’d instantly put it toward the college of my choice,” although he’s not sure which automotive technology school he will attend.

Paying for college is a concern for Madalyn Barron, 18. The Lake City senior is in her second year of a certified nursing assistant program at K-Tech. She lives with a single parent and worries about the cost of attending college.

Barron aspires to be a plastic surgeon. “I want to help people feel good about what they see in the mirror and to help burn victims heal.” She plans to use the money at the University of Idaho or Boise State University and try to stay out of debt for as long as she can.

With the help of her counselor, Barron gained confidence in the process of  applying for scholarships. “I needed a little help but overall I could do it myself,” she said, about applying for Launch.

The West Bonner school board has been unable to have a meeting because Reinbold has been absent and therefore, school business has ground to a halt. The five-member board was reduced to three following the August recall of two board members. The board needs three for a quorum to meet.

In the span of 41 days since the recall, Reinbold participated in only one of five scheduled meetings and that was by phone and for only 28 minutes so only a handful duties were performed. At that meeting, he requested certain action items be removed from the agenda before he would attend, according to the other two members of the board. This week, he announced that a family emergency will preclude him from attending further meetings by phone or in person.

This week, the board was unable to interview and select candidates to fill the two open vacancies, as was planned, because of Reinbold’s continued absence.

“We’re definitely looking into it, and does it appear that there’s a crime here,” said Phil Stella, a detective sergeant with the Bonner County Sheriff’s Office. 

Stella said they will investigate the intention of Reinbold’s actions, which could fall under Idaho Code 18-315 — Omission of Public Duty. The code, in part, states “every willful omission to perform any duty enjoined by law upon any public officer, or person holding any public trust or employment, where no special provision shall have been made for the punishment of such delinquency, is punishable as a misdemeanor.”

“Obviously, missing a meeting is not a crime. However, it is possible, purposely missing a meeting(s) with the intent of preventing the entity from holding a meeting because a quorum is necessary could rise to that level,” said Bonner County Prosecutor Louis Marshall. 

Sandy Brower, a former West Bonner trustee who was an organizer of the recall, complained to the prosecutor about Reinbold. 

“I just want Troy to do his job. I want him to uphold his oath and do what is best for our district and kids,” said Brower, who ran unopposed for a city council seat and will start in January.

Brower said she’s tried to contact Reinbold numerous times without success. Idaho Education News has made more than 10 attempts to reach Reinbold by phone and email. There’s been no response. 

Jonathan Welch, who has two children attending West Bonner schools, echoed Brower’s frustration. “I am concerned about Troy not showing up because the board is at a standstill. Everybody is pretty frustrated by it and not sure what to do,” he said.

Stella said while the sheriff’s office is investigating, the prosecutor is looking into case law because the statute is very vague.

“(Brower) hasn’t made a report so I’ve got to start with her. If Mr. Reinbold will talk to me, I would be willing to talk to him,” Stella said.

Brower said: “He knows the district cannot conduct business without him. The students, staff and community deserve accountability. I hope that he makes himself available and things move forward for our district.” 

Requests for help

The frustrated Priest River community pulled together in August and ousted former trustees Keith Rutledge and Susan Brown, who were the driving force behind the controversial hiring of school leader Branden Durst. The community hoped that the successful recall would usher in a new board. But Reinbold’s absences have halted the board’s ability to meet and conduct business without a quorum.

“Can and should one elected official be allowed to hold the district hostage?” Brower asked the prosecutor’s office.

The three-person board’s dysfunction is a new twist on a saga that started in early spring with the failure of supplemental levy proposal and the hiring of Durst. The State Board of Education and State Department of Education fielded repeated messages for assistance throughout the summer, but they are constrained by law.

“The community isn’t sure where to turn because we’re in completely uncharted waters right now,” Welch said.

In a response to one constituent, SDE communications director Scott Graf wrote, “Much of the day-to-day control of a local district resides with the locally-elected board of trustees and their chosen administrators. As such, there are limited circumstances in which the state has the authority to intervene and direct a local district in its day-to-day operations. Specifically, the state is not authorized to force a local district to follow district policy.”

Through a public records request, EdNews obtained correspondence between West Bonner parents and the state. The following paragraphs represent a portion of those outreach messages.

Tracy Naccarato. “As you well know our district is in trouble.  I am emailing to ask for any help at all before we lose our schools. Brandon Durst is NOT qualified and should NOT be doing the things he is doing to our district.  It is very difficult to believe that there is no one to keep a school board in check when they do so many wrong things.  Why is there no one?”

Penny Whitaker. “Hello, my name is Penny Whitaker and I live in the West Bonner County School District. I am writing to ask for your help regarding our troubled school district or that you pass this letter on to someone who can help us.”

Merrilee Brumley. “As I’m sure you have heard, the WBCSD is in havoc mode right now. The majority of the school board has voted Branden Durst in as our superintendent. The majority of the patrons of the district are vehemently against this hiring but do not know where to turn. If you have any advice for us please respond to this email.”

Savanna Jones. “I am truly concerned for our district and my children’s safety if Durst is hired.”

Dan Brown. “I have three grade-school age kids who start next week, so this latest twist is a little concerning … along with no teacher contracts, no budget, no identified bus routes yet and the list goes on.”

Billy Mullaley. “Just so you are aware before the meeting started a man, name unknown, was out front in line with an assault rifle. The city police asked and he said he was going to the meeting. They talked him out of it. Please, if there is anything you can do or direct me to someone that can help. I do not want our town on the 5 o’clock news about a mass shooting.”

Brenna Saccone. “If there is any way you can intervene, I beg you to intervene! Our students, staff and community cannot thrive with Mr. Durst.”

Ernie Schoeffel. “I urge you to look into this. We, the patrons, need your help as the board doesn’t seem to want to take our input into consideration. The students need your help. Their future is at stake. Our whole community needs your help.”

DeeAnn Brennan. “I am asking for you to please decline an emergency certification for Branden Durst. There are too many red flags with his history and lack of experience in a public school education. He is not what this district needs and there is no reason to give him an emergency certification. This is a very serious situation for students, teachers, parents and families, and the community at large.”

Paul Turco. “I am also requesting that you do not consider Brenden Durst for any certifications. I fear he is a failed politician using this district as a stepping stone and is not the right fit for our community and our kids. We are doing everything we can to recall our school board members who have tyrannically been leading this district astray.”

The district’s compliancy

The State Board did step in to notify West Bonner in mid-August to correct a number of state law compliance issues. On Thursday, Graf provided a list of compliance issues the state is monitoring. 

Federal Programs. The SDE staff in the Federal Programs Department is monitoring two compliance issues, including what is necessary for West Bonner to receive its CSI-Up (Comprehensive School Improvement) allocation. The district has yet to submit its School Wide Improvement Plan, which is required for the allocation to be granted. 

Special Education. There are several aspects of the West Bonner Special Ed program that is being monitored, including some that change the way the district can spend special education funding. It should be noted that some previous issues have been resolved, but several are still outstanding, said the SDE.

Student Transportation. One bus is currently being shown as out of compliance for being past due on an inspection. This may be a clerical error on the district’s part and not reflective of whether the inspection has occurred, said the SDE. 

 Child Nutrition. As part of the department’s five-year procurement review, the SDE is waiting on the West Bonner school board to approve local policy 7400P3. The procurement review is considered outstanding until this approval is received. And while the SDE could withhold funding from the district’s school lunch program, it has not done so based on the impact it would have.

Public School Finance. After submitting its annual budget to the SDE with a series of errors, the district was made aware that it would need to submit an amended budget. As of now, that amended budget has not been submitted. Also, the district has not submitted its annual salary schedule. The district has met its required enrollment and attendance deadlines.

The election

Elizabeth Glazier will challenge Reinbold for the Zone 3 seat at the Nov. 7 election. Reinbold has passed out flyers in the community but EdNews has been unable to locate an election page with details about his platform and accomplishments. He reportedly has an event planned for Oct. 22, from 4-6 p.m. at HooDoo Cafe in Priest River. It’s unclear if that’s been canceled. Glazier has an election page with dates for upcoming events and details about how she intends to govern on the school board. Use this link to find out more about Glazier.

A concerned citizen notified the board last Thursday that trustee Allie Anderton no longer resided within Zone 1, and “thus she is not qualified to act as a trustee, and as a result I and thousands of other constituents are not being represented,” according to the complaint obtained from the board’s website. 

The board was asked to confirm Anderton’s residency and eligibility, based on court filings pertaining to her divorce. The concerned citizen claimed that Anderton had moved to Post Falls with her father. In response, board chairman Rebecca Smith tried to contact Anderton but was initially unsuccessful so a special meeting was scheduled on Oct. 18 to discuss the matter in an open meeting.

On Monday, the board had still not received a “written response confirming trustee Anderton’s residency” and Idaho Code requires that a board act to declare a vacancy when a trustee has moved out of their zone, a district spokesperson wrote in a press release.  

Anderton responded Tuesday and the district’s legal counsel confirmed her residency. “According to Idaho code 34-107, my residency remains at 3799 S. Wolf Lodge Creek Rd. The claims being made against me are untrue. Idaho code 34-107 defines residence, and temporary accommodations do not qualify as a new residence. It is my present intention to return to my home when the divorce is final,” Anderton wrote. 

“After careful consideration of trustee Anderton’s response and consultation with the district’s legal counsel, I am comfortable with trustee Anderton’s explanation and statement of intent to return to her residence in Zone 1 …,” Smith said in the release, which also notified the community of Wednesday’s canceled meeting.

“At no time was this situation personal, nor an attack on trustee Anderton. I have no desire to discuss  sensitive and personal matters in a public forum,” said Smith. “I have a great deal of respect for trustee Anderton’s privacy and empathy for her as she manages through a difficult life challenge. That said, as  board chair, I am duty-bound to uphold state law and board policy concerning matters in front of us. In this case, without a clear response from trustee Anderton about her residency, I made the decision to begin the conversation via a special meeting.”

The Coeur d’Alene Police Department, the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office and the Coeur d’Alene School District were all on scene following notification that an incident had occurred.

In a lockdown, all internal and external doors are secured until such time as law enforcement declares the situation safe and secure, the school district wrote in a press release. They’re initiated for “real or perceived threats to student and staff safety.”

The lockdown started “when a key fob used to activate a lockdown unintentionally passed in front of an access control sensor while trying to open a door,” a spokesperson said. School officials notified parents and staff through a mass communication system.

“While this was a preventable event, we are impressed with the response of our partners in law enforcement. They acted quickly and professionally to ensure our students and staff were safe,” said Mike Nelson, deputy superintendent. “We are a learning organization and will use this experience to be better prepared when a lockdown is necessary.”

When asked how the district plans to avoid this mistake again, the spokesperson said, “After each incident, we conduct an after action to evaluate what happened, the response and identify areas for improvement.”

SANDPOINT — Hundreds of Lake Pend Oreille seniors were greeted with a stark message Friday morning — “welcome to your financial future.”

The annual personal financial fair combines a little tough love with a heavy dose of reality. Sandpoint, Clark Fork and Lake Pend alternative high schools attended.

Here’s the simulation: You’re 28 years old, maybe married, maybe with kids, and you’ve landed a job. You also have goals, obligations and bills. Now you need to budget.

“They need to learn this information, so I think it’s something that our community is very committed to,” said Jeralyn Mire, a post secondary counselor at Sandpoint.  

With the help of local businesses and dozens of volunteers who set up 10 merchant stations, students navigated a handful of spending decisions adults know all too well:  food, housing, children and transportation. Properly managing debt and learning about borrowing were major aspects of the experience.

“You are eating everything that’s organic, you are gluten free, you like those ribeye steaks. It’s amazing right? That’s your high-end food. Then at the bottom is store brand stuff. You’re eating some hamburger, ramen noodles — you’re eating, but it’s just not like that super-awesome really expensive food,” a volunteer at the My Food station explained.

They also considered the number of times they eat out. “Do those jitter girls know your name and your order when you roll up?” she asked, referencing coffee purchases.

In their personal workbook, students selected a grocery and dining-out plan, subtracted that total from their balance and moved on to consider fun activities, like movies, concerts or vacations. As they visited each station, they subtracted spending from their salary. The goal  is to have $100 at the end.

Clark Fork senior Cole Mintkin, 18, was given the persona of a cook. He and his wife had a combined after-tax monthly income of $5,085.

“I’m broke,” Mintkin said, complaining that he received a repair bill for his favorite recliner in the amount of $425. 

Carson Yetter, also a Clark Fork senior, was shocked at childcare costs. As a pilot married to a receptionist, they have an income of $7,400.

“I found out that my childcare is $1,400. I was like, ‘What? I have an eight-month-old. Who’s taking care of that child?’” Yetter said.

Students blurted out a few odd or funny comments:

• One student said her 3-year-old daughter Brianna is “so expensive.”
• Another student said “I’m gonna get a bicycle,” when asked how he planned to get around.
• One teenager was pretty frugal because he selected “the cheapest options everywhere.”
• Someone else said childcare costs a lot more than expected. “Oh yeah, I’m definitely going to wait.”

They could choose to speak with a financial advisor to evaluate spending and determine savings goals. They also participated in a trivia game show about money lessons. And at the end of the day, their workbooks were audited. Those who fully participated were eligible for donated prizes.

“It’s a special day for our seniors. They like it. You can see by the way they’re engaged. They want to learn this knowledge,” Mire said.  

For Sandpoint, the financial day supports the classroom, Mire said. Seniors experience first-hand lessons taught in their economics and personal finance class: student loans, the average cost of a house, down-payments, loans rates, retirement topics and taxes. In Idaho, learning financial literacy is considered a core skill. House Bill 92 passed in the 2023 legislative session requires high school graduates to have one semester of a personal financial literacy course.

“I think it’s just an experience that they remember,” Mire said.

“At this point, we don’t know when that might be,” trustee Margaret Hall, the board’s interim chairman, told Idaho Education News through email.

In a letter to the community posted on the district’s website, Hall wrote, “Regretfully, the special board meetings tonight (17th) and tomorrow (18th) and the regular meeting tomorrow evening (18th) must be canceled. Due to a family emergency, trustee Reinbold will not be able to attend these meetings in-person or by phone. The situation requires trustee Reinbold’s immediate attention and presence and he has expressed a desire for privacy at this time.”

The three-person board — Hall, Reinbold and Carlyn Barton — was poised to choose applicants from a pool of five candidates to fill two trustee spots left vacant by the recall election. Without Reinbold, there is not a quorum.

Once Reinbold’s availability is known, the board will “move forward as quickly as possible” to reschedule a meeting to conduct the interviews and appointments, Hall wrote. “Thank you for your understanding and patience as we navigate this situation together.”

Former board chairman Keith Rutledge and vice chairman Susan Brown were recalled by overwhelming majorities in August. Rutledge and Brown were the driving force behind a number of unpopular decisions, culminating in their removal. Reinbold often voted with Rutledge and Brown. The application deadline for replacement candidates occurred Friday. Five names were posted Monday in preparation for Tuesday’s interviews.

Since the recall canvass on Sept. 7, the board has scheduled two regular meetings and three special meetings in the span of 41 days. Reinbold attended 28 minutes of a truncated meeting to declare the vacancies, but will be absent from two regular meetings and two special meetings.

Next month, Hall, Barton and Reinbold face challengers in their bids to be reelected. The current board is scheduled to meet again on Nov. 15 and Dec. 20. If Reinbold cannot attend those meetings, the appointments could be left to the new board that takes office in January.

Former trustee and recall organizer, Sandra Brower offered condolences and prayers for a good outcome, but like many in Priest River, she’s frustrated by Reinbold’s recent actions.

“I am terribly sorry that Troy and his family are experiencing an emergency. I’m also very disappointed that the business of the district is yet again stalled. Troy willfully did not fulfill his duties as an elected official last month, thus creating a new crisis within our district,” she told EdNews. 

“Our board cannot remove Mr. Durst without Troy. The district continues to pay Durst salary from the general fund without compensation from the state while teachers work without a negotiated contract. Mr. Durst said publicly that he would step down if he did not receive an emergency provisional certification from the State Board of Education, which he did not receive. However, he will not leave.

“Is the plan to hold the district hostage by not attending meetings so a quorum is not met, so Mr Durst can continue to do a job he is not approved for? Why are the parents, students and voters being ignored by trustee Reinbold and Mr. Durst? I am beyond frustrated,” Brower wrote.

The candidates

Five potential candidates submitted an extensive application packet with their petition for candidacy. The current board included seven questions about background, education philosophies, education experience, availability and personal connection to schools.

In Zone  4, the trustee applicants are Wendy Eaton and Ann Yount; in Zone 2, they are Donald Paden, Paul Turco and Brad Cossette. Idaho Education News reviewed each application and selected four topics to provide a brief snapshot of each candidate. A link to their full applications is available at the end of each candidate’s paragraph.

Zone 4

Wendy Eaton. “Public education should serve the children in the district, preparing them for college, life or a trade.” Eaton has two children and one-step child in West Bonner schools. She is currently a support representative for Classical Conversations. She has 10 years of education experience. Eaton’s complete application is available here.

Ann Yount. “Public education should be accessible to all students, regardless of any factors associated with their lives. I strongly believe that each student within our district should have the same right and educational opportunity as any other student in our country. Students should receive core knowledge and skills to help them become successful adults.” Yount has four grandchildren attending West Bonner schools; she is the owner and operator of Yount Daycare. Her volunteer experience is extensive: PTO president, years of coaching various girls’ sports and working for the booster club. Yount’s complete application is available here.

Zone 2

Donald Paden. “I believe that public education is necessary to our local community, as is a police department, a fire department and a hospital. If we as a community are to live next to each other as neighbors, we need to have a fundamental understanding of civic responsibility. Our public schools should be the place where our children learn of that civic responsibility and to accept, respect and value others in our community. Our schools should provide the educational foundation to be self-reliant, so as to not become a burden on the rest of society. We need to encourage and develop honesty and integrity in the children of our community by providing the education, training and desire to accept those responsibilities. I believe that the local community has the best understanding of what the needs are for the students.” Paden has two grandchildren in West Bonner schools; he comes from a family of teachers and he taught computer classes; Paden is retired, having spent 14 years in the military and 23 years with a trucking company. Paden’s complete application is available here.

Paul Turco. “I believe publication education is one of the oldest traditions in our country. I feel it is the best way to support the future of any community. It is a crucial entity that educates the workforce of the future. It also creates jobs and opportunities for the current local community and families. I also respect and cherish the freedom of choice for alternative education models. My wife and I feel the public education setting is what is going to best prepare our children for the future.” Turco has two children attending West Bonner schools; he is self-employed for the last 10 years in the financial and banking industry; he also has volunteer experience with youth sports. Turco’s complete application is available here.

Brad Cossette. “Public education should be the foundation of the community. All aspects of an entire curriculum and co-curriculars should be working towards goals set forth by the state, community and the board of trustees. Every student’s well being and success is the duty of their parent(s) or guardian(s) and all the personnel of the school district. The board’s role is to conduct the business of the district, listen to the community, make decisions which are legal and in the best interest of providing the highest quality education of the students of our district.” Cossette does not have children or grandchildren in West Bonners schools. He is a retired teacher with a bachelor’s in education and a master’s in administration and curriculum development. He spent 39 years with the Spokane public schools system. Cossette’s complete application is available here.

But state Treasurer Julie Ellsworth is skeptical. She isn’t sure the purchase is constitutional — or even necessary, if the U of I merely wants to work with an online partner.

And the unusual nature of the transaction — creating a U of I-affiliated nonprofit to purchase and manage what is now a for-profit university — also gives Ellsworth heartburn. “I’m very concerned with the fact that this vehicle does not exist elsewhere.”

On Monday, Ellsworth convened a meeting of the state’s Credit Rating Enhancement Committee — which is charged with making sure the state can secure low-cost financing in the bond market.

The hour-long meeting focused somewhat on risk — and whether Idaho’s lofty AAA credit rating could be in jeopardy.

No state has experienced a credit downgrade due to the acquisition of a for-profit university, the U of I said in its presentation. And there’s a degree of separation, said Ryan Conway, the  managing director of PFM Financial Advisors, which is working with the U of I on the Phoenix purchase. In reviewing the state’s rating, analysts are unlikely to drill into the U of I’s credit posture — or the status of Four Three Education, the nonprofit that would take over operations of Phoenix, on the U of I’s behalf.

But there isn’t as much separation between Four Three and the U of I, and credit analysts reviewing the university could wind up lumping the two entities together, Conway said. That’s why university officials have said the purchase could result in a downgrade of the U of I’s credit rating, from its current A2 rating to an A1 rating. University President C. Scott Green has said the U of I would still retain an “investment grade” bond rating, but a downgrade could increase financing costs.

Through much of Monday’s meeting, Ellsworth and state Rep. Josh Tanner, R-Eagle, peppered Conway and university officials with pointed questions.

Ellsworth cast doubt about the U of I’s due diligence process, since some of its advisers, including PFM, would benefit financially if the purchase goes through. “I just see conflicts there.”

Tanner, a member of the Legislature’s Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee, again said lawmakers had been cut out of the discussion. He asked if lawmakers would have more time at the beginning of the 2024 session to review the purchase.

U of I and Phoenix officials have hoped to complete the purchase early next year, and university legal counsel Kent Nelson didn’t promise any flexibility in the timetable.

“The timing of this transaction is the timing of this transaction,” he said.

Ellsworth said her committee is planning a Nov. 17 meeting with Green and Gov. Brad Little’s office to further discuss the purchase. The committee will also prepare a report to the Legislature.

“I’m here this evening on behalf of a parent who felt that her voice was not being heard,” Harris told the school board during last week’s regular meeting.

The program is Sources of Strength at Skyway Elementary School. The parent was unable to pull her son out of the course unless she picked him up each time, which is not an option because she works full-time, Harris explained, on behalf of the parent. Furthermore, SOS includes liberal ideas around family, gender identity and spirituality, Harris told trustees.

Idaho Education News requested an explanation of the program. The district’s community relations director Stefany Bales directed EdNews to the nonprofit’s website. Use this link to find out more about SOS, a program that promotes improved mental health and suicide prevention. It’s supported by the State Department of Education.

“SOS was brought to the Coeur d’Alene School District in 2018 after the district experienced the tragedies of multiple student deaths and an administrator death from suicide. As Kootenai County has a higher-than-average rate of suicidality, the community and the district recognize the need to support our children, many of whom were impacted by these deaths and/or were struggling themselves. SOS became part of the district’s approach to helping students by providing opportunities to build resilience by focusing on their strengths and healthy connections,” Bales wrote in an email response.

About 4,200 elementary, 200 middle and 47 high school students participate in courses, programs or clubs. Trustees adopted it in 2018 for secondary schools and 2022 for elementary schools, after the SDE offered an elementary curriculum.

Prior to adopting it, the district created a committee “to investigate the possibility of adding this curriculum to the district’s elementary schools as part of its health curriculum,” according to district documents. By a 6-2 margin, the committee favored implementation. Four parents and four district staff members served on the committee. Bales provided a document that details their work. Click here to read it.

The school district maintains a website page that provides program specifics. “Parents, and others in the community with an interest, have the right to review the SOS curriculum during the adoption process and/or at the district office,” Bales wrote.  “At any level, parents may choose to opt their children out of lessons with which they are uncomfortable.” 

At the secondary level, SOS is a club format so students opt-in. When students indicate they want to join an SOS club, their parent or guardian is notified by letter for permission. At the elementary level, letters are sent prior to students beginning the curriculum “which clearly articulates the opt-out process,” Bales wrote.

At the meeting, Harris said, “There should be another adult and room available for each half-hour it is taught, for children whose parents want to protect them and teach our own views on this at home where it belongs. The fact that this teacher has brought such opposition to her is extremely frustrating and disheartening. This is another example why opting out is not the right option. It should always be opt in.”

Bales said it is a misunderstanding. “There is no district policy that directs parents to pick up their child if they opt that child out of SOS instruction. After investigating the specific situation at Skyway … it became clear that there was a misunderstanding. Of the five parents opting out, some wanted to pick up their children. Per policy, the practice at all eleven elementary schools is to work with families that opt out by providing their child with an alternative activity in an alternate and supervised location.”

Harris said, “This mom is correct. She should absolutely have every right to pull her child out of this, yet we are finding that the parents’ voice is not being heard or respected.” 

“Parents have the right to know and understand what their children learn and how they learn it. They have the right to ask questions, view curriculum, and understand their child’s educational records,” according to Bales.

The question of investigating SOS “assumes the speaker(s) at Monday’s board meeting offered factual information about the SOS program and its effects. Those who spoke on this topic offered their opinions, which they are welcome to do,” Bales wrote.

“The facts are that SOS is a foundational and widely accepted program used across the country to reduce youth suicide. There are those who argue SOS should not be used but they provide no meaningful alternative to effectively raise suicide awareness, support ALL our students, or reduce the number of young people who take their own lives every year.”

She added, “SOS does not mention or teach equity, race, ethnicity, or privilege. It contains no language about or discussion of gender, gender identity, sexuality, or sexual preference.”

SOS teaches about wellness, well-being and living healthily. It encourages strong family connections and suggests that students draw upon the faith or spirituality of their families to source their strength, according to Bales. 

Harris has a different opinion. “I feel we need to do better, especially when we keep preaching mental health, inclusion and positivity. It seems as though it’s a one-way street. The parents’ voice and choice should matter above all else, no matter what. So why are we making it so hard for them?”

MOSCOW – Parents from Saudi Arabia or Myanmar are often perplexed by the cute cutouts of ghosts and witches adorning the walls in their first graders’ classrooms this month, or the overweight bearded man riding a red sleigh in December.

It’s Maarn Crepeau’s job at West Park Elementary to help international families navigate the norms of American culture and language. West Park is one of four elementary schools in the Moscow School District – but it’s different from the others.

A seasoned ESL instructional assistant, Crepeau is part family advocate, counselor, food inspector, mentor and warmhearted grandmother. She prepares classroom teachers for students who may avoid certain card games because of Haram, things that are forbidden by Islamic law; or the food preferences in some cultures to avoid gelatin, an ingredient of Candy Corn. 

“I do feel very drawn to helping students and I love kids this age. This is my happy place,” she said.

West Park Elementary is unique for several reasons: the small school of 158 sits just about on the University of Idaho campus and boasts a diverse population of international K-2 students, whose families are either connected to the university or refugees. The district has one certified ESL teacher and two part-time instructors.

“We have a family that just left Afghanistan and the children were very traumatized. They had been in Pakistan as refugees from the Taliban and moved here. It’s very difficult. I was showing them around the school … and the mom and dad just started crying. This little girl is .001% of Afghani girls who get to go to school,” Crepeau said.

New language, new school, new culture – that’s a lot to handle at such a young age. Anxiety and nervousness are expected. On the first day of school, one little girl vomited three times, Crepeau recalled.

The U of I connection stems from the professors, graduate students and undergraduate students who send their children to West Park. In a single year, they have children speaking languages from 18 different nations, from Vietnam, Mongolia and Iran, to Nigeria, India and Jordan.

“We have to think past our assumptions,” said principal Brian Smith.

They aren’t familiar with the etiquette of a school concert, class picture day or the purpose of parent-teacher conferences — not to mention American holidays and celebrations. Beyond those, social skills are necessary to navigate making new friends and playing at recess, and the best way to address adults.

“So my job is to make sure these kids feel comfortable. And once they feel like they’re in a safe space, that’s when the learning starts,”  Crepeau said.

On average there are 25 ESL students in the school; Crepeau works with about 10 of those attending an American school for the first time. She pulls those students out of their classrooms for socialization and language development.

On Tuesday, Crepeau and her Chinese and Libyan students learned about the weather and sang songs about the days of the week. But the school’s outreach goes beyond the campus.

“It’s a priority to have the parents as partners,” said superintendent Shawn Tiegs. “There are barriers for parents too.”

Crepeau and the district created an outreach program called ESL parents group, a relaxed event for mothers to drink tea together, learn about community resources, develop a network and share their concerns: Does their child have someone to play with? What foods are the school serving? Do they know enough English to survive in the classroom?

“I’m excited that moms have a voice,” Crepeau said.

Tiegs added, “The value on public education is very clear here.”

The idea behind mothers’ tea is to help families adjust. They provide information about adult ESL classes; how to find after-school activities for their children to attend; how to obtain a library card; where to find donated food or clothing; school leaders and counselors. 

“It has to be this group effort, including the factor of having the moms and the dads involved, which is important,” Smith said.

Crepeau started her ESL career more than 20 years ago in Idaho Falls as an ESL teaching assistant. She started with Moscow in 2018. She can dabble in several languages, like Arabic and German, and is fluent in Spanish.

With exposure to so many disparate languages, which ones would Crepeau want to master and speak fluently?

“All of them,” she said proudly.

Four of the five Coeur d’Alene candidates attended Saturday’s forum, hosted by Kootenai County Republican Women Federated: Zone Two candidates James “Jimmy” McAndrew and Yasmin Harris, Zone Three incumbent Heather Tenbrink and challenger Matt Blatt. It’s unclear if Zone Two candidate Mike Stavish is still running.

Harris is married to a retired Marine and has two boys attending district schools. She says she intends to be a strong voice for parents, students and taxpayers; elevate student achievement, bring budget clarity to the district and fight back against bullies. Parents’ rights in education is a “heavy topic on my heart,” she said. She has a background in business operations. To read more about Harris, use this link.

McAndrews spent all of his life in North Idaho and has two children in the district. He has extensive management experience in real estate and sales with a local bank. He’s active as a leader and community volunteer. Improving student achievement is one of his priorities; another is the issue of affordability and increasing growth. He believes the school district should have a seat at the table so it can be proactive rather than reactive. To learn more about McAndrews, use this link.

Tenbrink moved to the area 19 years ago. All four of her children have attended Coeur d’Alene schools. She has a background in science and accounting. As the only incumbent, she’s proud of the new strategic plan that focuses on academic achievement. “I am excited about this plan. I want to make sure our community understands what they are getting from it and sees results from it,” she said. To learn more about Tenbrink, use this link.

Blatt is retired from a career in the military. He described the district as a “rudderless ship that is drifting around the lake.” He’s opposed to the exploitation of children, and says adults should not have discussions about personal politics, beliefs in how a family should be structured or issues related to sex. “These are not topics adults should have with children. That needs to stop,” he said. “We need to take some responsibility. Take charge of our school system and make sure that our children are given a better education.” To learn more about Blatt’s campaign, use this link.

For this story, Idaho Education News selected two topics discussed during the forum. Here are the candidates’ responses.

Should males participate in girls’ sports, and what are your thoughts on the bathroom issue?

Tenbrink. “Students need to use the bathroom that corresponds to their sex at birth or a single-use facility. Everyone needs to be able to come to school and everyone needs to be able to use the bathroom. We need to make sure that all of our students are comfortable and safe.”

Blatt. “The first part is absolutely not. So children are asexual. There’s a reason why children aren’t allowed to buy alcohol or join the military or buy a gun. There’s a whole host of things that minors are not permitted to do, yet somehow adults think it’s OK to talk to them about things like sex and sexual confusion. And the next part of this is really simply propaganda. So, as you’re trapped in this little buzzword game — trans and pronouns — and all this silliness by engaging in counter propaganda, all we do is continue to perpetrate this same conversation, which detracts from our education system. We shouldn’t be having these conversations with our children. It’s very clear — if you’re a biological boy, you don’t play girls’ sports and you don’t go into their restrooms. If there’s a child who has issues with this … it must be addressed at a church, in a medical community or at home. It is not supposed to be addressed in the school.”

McAndrews. “Boys are boys and girls are girls. They should go to their bathrooms. It’s a distraction that needs to stop. I’ve got a daughter and there’s not gonna be any boys in her restroom. Furthermore, people who violate this policy should be given some severe punishment. Out of the integrity of women , boys play boys’ sports and girls play girls.’”

Harris. “This ideology is from the devil. This is not who God is and how he created us. I think the better question is why are we even entertaining it? It’s beyond me. It is important to keep our children safe. This is one of the most vulnerable places when we use the bathroom. To feel that you don’t have (safety) is absolutely ridiculous. It comes back to us adults, and what we are allowing. We have lost sight of our roles in the school.”

Should the superintendent unilaterally make policy decisions without input from the board?

Harris. “The board is made up of community members who are the voice of the schools and these kids. He works for us. We need to work together to bring forth the best policies.”

McAndrews. “Trustees are elected by their constituents and the superintendent is hired, fired and held accountable by the board. It only makes sense for policies and procedures that the trustees have a seat at that table. And we don’t have a seat at the table in so many ways here in Kootenai County. To have more positive outcomes that reflect the parents’ wishes and the students’ wishes, there’s nothing wrong with five or six people putting their heads together to come up with the best outcome. If I were a superintendent, I can’t imagine thinking any way differently.”

Blatt. “Majority vote makes decisions. Last year, the board ceded its responsibility to the superintendent by passing a policy that allows him to write procedures to any policy that the board writes. And he doesn’t need to go to the board for review. If you ever watch a board meeting, it is quite clear that the superintendent imagines himself to be in charge. He provides the agendas on Thursday nights without any supporting documents and expects the board to answer all the questions for all the decisions they’re supposed to make over the weekend. Frankly, he’s sandbagging them. He needs to be brought to heel and have consequences for his defiance and the board needs to resume its role of being in charge.”

Tenbrink. “So the board as a whole, we hire and can fire a superintendent. Currently, in the Coeur d’Alene School District we have directed our superintendent to make procedures for our policies. He and his administrative staff make the procedures. Those come back to us in our consent agenda and certainly if anyone has a problem with the procedures, I hope they would bring it to the attention of the board. We meet regularly with the superintendent and we know the issues that are being worked on.”

Only two of the six Lakeland trustee candidates attended Saturday’s forum, so EdNews did not include their comments in this article. Check back for more coverage of Lakeland’s election.

PRIEST RIVER — Eight seniors in Jared Hughes’ forestry class measured the diameters of Douglas firs and discussed career options on a beautiful fall morning in the woods behind their school.

“Timber and forestry is relevant to our community and their backgrounds,” Hughes said.

Colton Brooks doesn’t mind being out of the classroom. Fishing, hunting, riding dirt bikes — recreating and working in the area’s forests is simply a way of life here. Brooks attends Priest River Lamanna High School and is enrolled in Hughes’ botany/forestry course that explores ecology and management.

“It’s way better out here,” Brooks said, with a slight grin.

Priest River is one of the rural epicenters of Superintendent Debbie Critchfield’s effort to push millions of dollars into career technical education to build-up programs that will train graduates to meet the needs of local industries.

In the panhandle region, that means timber production. And there’s plenty of opportunity. According to the American Forest and Paper Association, the U.S. forest products industry manufactures almost $300 billion in products a year and employs about 1 million workers. And Idaho is one of the top lumber producing states. 

The state’s $45 million CTE grant program is called Idaho Career Ready Students. Last month, over $16 million was awarded to 11 initial programs. The second round of requests are due Nov. 1. Priest River is asking for $1 million.

“It really excites me that we … are focusing on rural, underserved districts for different career ready pathways,” Hughes said. 

Training students in GIS mapping, ecology conservation and chainsaw operation could impact the town’s economic future. After the 2008 housing crash, the number of mills and the need for labor to produce wood products decreased. Although the demand for lumber slowed, the trees remain and young people continue looking for career opportunities, especially those that keep them in Priest River.

Several of the seniors in Hughes’ class want a job that has an opportunity to stay close to home. Although 17-year-olds Kemper Dabrowski, Kayden Reynolds and Brooks are part of multi-generational logging families, they are thinking about training as an electrical lineman, a diesel mechanic and an electrician.

Hughes has a plan — build a program that trains and inspires seniors to embark on natural resource careers.

On the 20-acre plot of forest behind the high school owned by the school district, Reynolds used an increment borer to drill half way into the Douglas fir. A core sample shows the 100-foot-tall tree is about 76 years old.

“What’s the DBH?” Hughes asked.

“19.8 inches,” Brooks responded. DBH stands for diameter at breast height, a measurement taken at 4.5 feet above the tree’s base.

Discussion turned to tree identification, and Hughes reminded students that hemlocks have a purple inner bark. The focus of Thursday’s class was timber cruising, a way to count volume. Reynolds said the total number of trees can be determined by counting up how many are in 1/10 of the area, and multiplying that by 10.

“That gives you the amount of trees in the whole acre,” he said.

According to Hughes, the goal is to provide industry partners with students who can step in “ready to go.” If the grant is approved, he plans to transform the acreage into a working forest — harvesting, planting and producing wood products.

What Priest River is requesting

Priest River is a rural, outdoor community that likes to hunt, fish and recreate. “Let’s create a workforce that manages our forest,” Hughes said, who has been teaching forestry for 15 years.

The high school has four certified CTE teachers. Hughes, who is certified in natural sciences, plans to obtain CTE certification to lead a new forestry program, which falls under the natural resource and plant soil science pathway. Although he taught forestry, there has never been an official forestry-related CTE pathway.

There was a time when Hughes taught 30 students but today it’s down to an average of 10-15 the last couple of years. 

According to historical data, enrollment peaked around 513 students 20 years ago; today that number is around 316. In that same period, the number of students in the district shrunk by 27%, from 1,580 to 1,149.

The grant would fund four areas:

• Curriculum: forestry science and management; forest products; wildlife ecology and management; GPS/GIS/mapping.
• Equipment: lumber production equipment; equipment for cruise, soil and disease assessments; scaling, tree planting, forest ecology, wildlife science.
• Building: a new building/complex, plus passenger vans.
• Classroom equipment: safety equipment and classroom technology, like printers and plotters to handle large maps, GPS and drones for collecting forest data.

“It’s been a long time coming because Idaho has one of the largest percentages of national forests and endowment grant lands. This is surprising that we haven’t done it before. But the funding hasn’t been there,” Hughes said.

The communities of Orofino, Bonners Ferry, Potlatch, Troy, Deary and St. Maries have similar resources and the same potential as Priest River, he said.

SANDPOINT — Pepper is the most beloved staff member at Farmin Stidwell Elementary School.

Every student who passes her in the hall wants her attention: “Can I say hello to Pepper? Pepper, come here. Oh, you’re so cute, Pepper.”

Pepper’s official staff photograph sits right between principal Betsy Dalessio and associate administrator Ellen Wassif on the wall as you enter the school building.

Pepper is a kind of reading specialist. She’s both a certified therapy dog and a reading education assistant.

Throughout the year, students have opportunities to read aloud to Pepper, who is trained to lay still and look at the pages. This is particularly helpful with students struggling to read or who lack confidence. 

“She encourages reading and gets them excited about it,” said Wassif, who owns Pepper.

Pepper never judges or corrects them. And cuddling is encouraged.

“I love having Pepper in schools reading with our students! Pepper creates a safe reading space for our students, allowing them to read naturally and not worry about mistakes or too many corrections.  Pepper’s comforting presence allows students to become more comfortable reading aloud,” said superintendent Becky Meyer.

Pepper’s non-judgmental presence and undivided attention provide positive reinforcement that some kids need. She also joins regular classrooms, wandering among the students who are listening intently while Wassif reads a novel.

“They beg to read to her,” Wassif said.

Kootenai Elementary is now in the process of creating a similar program and has a puppy in training. No word on a name yet.

PRIEST RIVER – Anxiety about which trustees will control the West Bonner school board continues to swirl through the surrounding towns and backroads of this remote Idaho Panhandle district.

For seven months, division and mistrust on the five-person board and with the community have been commonplace. Parents and patrons vocally disagreed and challenged board decisions throughout the summer. 

And the successful recall of two board leaders in August did little to right the ship.

But overwhelming support in favor of the recall created an expectation that former trustees Susan Brown’s and Keith Rutledge’s departure would usher in new leadership and perhaps renewed focus on education.

The troubles in West Bonner kicked off following the resignation of superintendent Jackie Branum, the supplemental levy failure, the board’s decision to have a four-day school week, the last-minute cancelation of ELA curriculum and the controversial hiring of Branden Durst.

Little has changed. Now those voters who wanted change are pinning their hopes on the upcoming November election and the planned appointment of two new board members, if trustees show up — three are needed for a quorum — at the October, November or December meetings. Candidate applications to replace the recalled trustees are due by Oct. 13. And the board expects to discuss applicants in an open forum on Oct. 18, the last regular board meeting before the election.

Zone five candidates

Just off the main highway down a dirt road, the Blanchard Grange community center held about 30 people Saturday evening attending Carlyn Barton’s candidate forum. Her opponent, Kathy Nash, was unable to attend but Idaho Education News reached her Sunday and Monday for comment.

“I have integrity and I want to unify the district,” Barton told the audience. “We’re forgetting that we’re here for our kids.”

Voters expressed frustration at higher property taxes, the possibility of school curriculum with liberal indoctrination, a divisive superintendent and a dysfunctional school board.

Barton opposes any curriculum or social emotional learning that are gateways to critical race theory and she also opposes transgender affirmation, including biological males using girls’ restrooms. She does support levy proposals because the state created a shortfall in funding and it’s become necessary.

“Local money shouldn’t be funding the schools — the state should,” Barton said. But “shortfalls have to be made up.”

Her key issues are unifying the board, filling vacancies, finalizing contracts for teachers, complying with the State Board of Education and hiring a qualified superintendent who is invested in the community.

“Superintendent Durst was not qualified. That’s why I didn’t vote for him, and he’s still not qualified and it’s costing us money,” she said.

Patrons asked repeated questions about her views on the levy and social justice issues, like CRT and transgender students. One person inquired about her religion.

“I don’t know if this is appropriate, but I don’t care. Do you go to church?” a man asked.

Barton said she does attend church and that she is a Christian, conservative, educator, parent and graduate of West Bonner. You can find out more about Barton at this link.

Saturday’s moderator, Bonner County commissioner Asia Williams, called Nash on the phone after the event but she declined to speak with EdNews. A subsequent email to Nash’s campaign email NashforWBC@proton.me reached her Sunday. She did not respond in time for this publication.

Nash did follow up Monday evening with these responses. The most pressing problems include “excessive bullying, sexual misconduct, low test scores and graduation rates, financial mismanagement, lack of transparency, and lack of following established policy.” 

“The recent board wasn’t the problem. The school district establishment who have been the controlling powers for several decades are the ones who have allowed and contributed to the problems listed above,” Nash wrote.  

Nash is a Christian, conservative and Constitutionalist. “My great grandparents moved to Canyon County before 1910, with family continually living throughout Idaho. We moved to Bonner County in 2014. We have 13 grandkids – eight born in Idaho – and even one great granddaughter who are all being raised in north Idaho,” she said. 

Williams maintains a website that includes election-related events for zone five. According to Idaho True North News, Nash is planning two events this month: Oct. 12 at 6 p.m. at the Stone Ridge Activity Center and Oct. 16-17 at 5 p.m. at Blanchard Community Church.

Candidates in zones one and three

West Bonner voters have four candidates to choose from in zones one and three. In zone three, the choices are Elizabeth Glazier and incumbent Troy Reinbold; in zone one, Alan Galloway and incumbent Margaret Hall.

Reinbold held a meet and greet event on Oct. 1 at Edgemere Grange in Priest River. It was reported that anyone outside of zone three was turned away. Reinbold’s campaign flyer reads “These events are exclusively for residents of Zone 3.” He has another event planned for Oct. 22, from 4-6 p.m. at HooDoo Cafe in Priest River.

Other than Reinbold’s personal Facebook page, which contains no election news, EdNews was not able to find an election website or Facebook page officially representing Reinbold. However, the WBCSD & West Bonner County Politics Facebook page contains two prominent posts targeting Glazier, who provided a response on that page.

Glazier is a financial advisor with two children attending West Bonner schools. She maintains an official election page that includes her platform and background. Click this link to find out more about Glazier.  Her campaign message focuses on supporting teachers and financial transparency.

Glazier’s message reads, “I will work cohesively with teachers, staff, parents and community members to offer the students of WBCSD nothing but the best. It’s time that we showed our 1,000+ students that their community is behind them and their education.”

Zone One: Hall is the interim board chair. Her election website can be found on Facebook at this link or use this link for one not associated with Facebook. Her website provides her background, goals and accomplishments. Galloway is reportedly a cattle rancher. EdNews was unable to locate a campaign site dedicated to his election. He is active at the Facebook page Support WBCSD Schools. EdNews is waiting for responses from both Hall and Galloway. When responses are received, this story will be updated with their information.

“Our seniors, they’re hungry for the knowledge,” said Jeralyn Mire, a post secondary counselor at Sandpoint High School. “They’re nervous. Adulting scares them.”

The finance fair on Oct. 13 brings together local businesses and dozens of volunteers to introduce seniors to budgeting, taxes and retirement topics. 

“This is a community project,” Mire said.

In Idaho, learning financial literacy is considered a core skill. House Bill 92 passed in the 2023 legislative session requires high school graduates to have one semester of a personal financial literacy course.

While next week’s fair is not an official course, it’s an opportunity to provide additional experience and knowledge.

As students enter, they’re assigned a career, income amount, debt amount and other potential costs.  They will go to stations and figure out how to balance paying monthly expenses — a car payment or childcare — with discretionary items like movie tickets or eating out.

The feedback last year was positive.  One student remarked, “I had no idea it was so expensive to raise children. I’m going to thank my parents tonight.”

The second section of the event is a trivia style game show in which students learned about managing credit and saving money.  

Mire expects about 230 seniors from Sandpoint, Clark Fork and Lake Pend Oreille high schools to attend. She estimates that 35 volunteers and 10 educators will host this year’s event. This year marks the tenth year it’s been held.

“This is kind of a rite of passage for our seniors,” Mire said.

About 93% of seniors reported that last year’s finance fair was helpful in understanding how to live within their means and the importance of budgeting, according to a school report.

“We absolutely don’t do furries,” said superintendent Lisa Arnold.

Meetings are scheduled monthly so parents can ask any question and for the district to provide accurate information. Arnold was unequivocal about furries.

“I have talked to our secondary principals and they have no knowledge of, nor have they seen, tails at school. I know that kids are coming home and telling their parents that everybody is wearing them. The board has said that we teach children, not animals, and so nobody gets to identify as a dog or a cat,” she explained.

About 20 parents met at the Lakeland district office Tuesday afternoon. One parent asked about possibly reducing student exposure to technology.

“It’s part of what we do,” Arnold responded. But “our teachers have worked to find the right balance.”

Adopting social studies curriculum

The district is beginning the process of adopting a new social studies curriculum by vetting about seven different fifth-grade textbooks — where most history books first discuss slavery — from multiple publishing companies. The new curriculum will be implemented next fall.

“If we’re going to have an issue, it’s going to show up there. Our goal is to kind of weed out the publishers where there’s a little bit more controversial speech around social justice and social reform ideas,” Arnold said. “We just want a social studies textbook that’s going to teach our history without any biases on either side.”

To avoid political or ideological slants, Arnold suggested Hillsdale College’s curriculum as a solution.

“Hillsdale may be our only option for that,” she said. “We looked at it and it’s really good.”

Students start interacting with the U.S. Constitution and the Declaration of Independence beginning in kindergarten and first grade. Hillsdale provides the curriculum free of charge but there is a cost to print and bind textbooks because those are not included, she said.

Any parent who is interested in serving on the curriculum adoption committee can do so. Members will read textbooks from cover to cover, looking for questionable material and academic rigor, said assistant superintendent Lynn Paslay.

Arnold said Gov. Brad Little made it illegal to teach critical race theory in Idaho.

“We’re trying to vet it really early,” Paslay said.

Political conversations should happen at home, Arnold added. “We want to feel good about the material we are putting in the hands of our kids.”

Enrollment data for each school

According to Idaho law, students can transfer to any public school within or outside their school or district boundaries. And at least four times each year, every district and charter should post on their website the space available at each school.

Idaho Education News data analyst Randy Schrader was unable to locate enrollment reports for several districts, including Caldwell, Middleton, West Ada and Boise.

Lakeland is complying. The district’s report for each school is prominent on the website.

Athol and John Brown elementary schools are full; Betty Kiefer has 22 openings and Spirit Lake 16; Garwood eight and Twin Lakes 22; Lakeland Middle School 27 and Timberlake Middle School 99; Lakeland High School 41, Timberlake High School 26 and Mountain View High School is full.

“We want to be transparent,” Arnold said. “Laws matter.”

The district’s two new ASOs are not school resource officers contracted with the local police department; they are state employees hired directly by the district. Both ASOs are trained and certified with firearms and responsible for protecting employees and students from external and internal threats.

“We need to stop bad things from happening, faster and quicker,” said ASO JD McElroy. “And hopefully we never have to get to that end result.”

McElroy believes his positive interaction with students is an important aspect of his daily job. Tactically trained for crisis response and an expert marksman, he finds great satisfaction mentoring young people.

McElroy was preparing to become a police officer when he found the job. Rather than issuing tickets and enforcing the laws of Sandpoint and surrounding communities, he’s helping young people understand the impact of their decisions.

“I worked with convicted felons (as a corrections officer) my entire career, and seeing what happens at the end, my take on this whole thing is just being able to help them out at a younger age and hopefully be that bright light that makes them change,” he said.

Lake Pend superintendent Becky Meyer said her intention is not to replace their successful school resource officer program but to supplement it. With ASOs, their work schedule can coincide with the district’s, so they’re training with firearms, for example, while teachers participate in a professional development day.

“When you have an SRO, their training is based on their calendar, not the school’s,” Meyer said.  “Having more latitude is a better use of taxpayer dollars.”

It’s been quiet around the Sandpoint High School campus: security checks, maintaining a closed campus and looking for vaping violations. “For the most part, it’s been pretty relaxed,” McElroy said.

Nearly all school districts that provide armed security do so by contracting with local enforcement or security companies, meaning they are not employees of the school district.

About six years ago, Meyer started the program at Lakeland school district in Rathdrum, the first to implement the ASO model. 

“If you build relationships with kids and have someone they can talk to, that averts acts of violence,” she said.

A Marine and law enforcement veteran, ASO Keith Delahanty supports the superintendent’s vision. 

“My approach is seeking understanding, finding solutions and creating a safe environment. My purpose is to build positive relationships with staff, families, students, and our community,”  Delahanty said.

Delahanty covers the eastern region, including Hope Elementary and Clark Fork Junior and Senior High School. Next year, Meyer plans to add one more ASO to cover the southern elementary schools, bringing the total to three ASOs and one armed resource officer.  

ASO pay is roughly the same as a beginning law enforcement officer. When requested, they’re responsible for working at extracurricular after-school events. But because of their flexible schedule, there’s no overtime. Much of their salary comes from the permanent levy. The other source is the Safe and Drug Free Schools program.

Voting unanimously — which is in itself newsworthy — North Idaho College trustees decided against censuring one of their own.

Still, and consistent with a board that often finds itself deadlocked, trustees quarreled amongst themselves Wednesday before tabling the motion against Tarie Zimmerman.

KHQ TV reported on the 20-minute exchange. The trustees’ discussion centered on whether Zimmerman had disclosed confidential information during an Aug. 31 board meeting.

In that brief meeting, a divided board of trustees gave attorney Art Macomber the go-ahead to pursue a settlement with a former employee, at a possible cost of $1.3 million.

“I don’t know, does anybody want to open their bank account?” Zimmerman during the Aug. 31 meeting. “I think the sum – can I say the sum? $1.3 million? That’s on the taxpayers’ back?”

That dollar figure again punctuated Wednesday’s exchange over censure, KHQ reported.

“Throwing out numbers that don’t exist as far as I’m aware of, is irresponsible,” Trustee Todd Banducci said. “Everybody running around with the $1.3 million number, show me where you got it, please. Maybe Trustee Zimmerman will produce where she came up with that.”

The board voted 3-0 against censure, KHQ reported, but divisions remain on the board.

Afterwards, board Chairman Greg McKenzie told KHQ that Zimmerman has twice divulged confidential information in an open meeting. Zimmerman vehemently denied this.

PRIEST RIVER – Dozens of anxious faces looked relieved when West Bonner trustee Troy Reinbold joined the board meeting by cellphone while parked along the highway.

His voice was audible but punctuated with heavy background noise. “I’m sitting along the highway soaking wet and covered in mud and trying to get home,” Reinbold said to his two fellow trustees, who were seated at the front ready to start their school board meeting.

Trustees Margaret Hall and Carlyn Barton agreed to shorten the agenda at Reinbold’s request. Although they met for just 28 minutes, they managed to declare vacancies for zones two and four. The five-person board is down to three after August’s recall election removed two trustees. The board can now begin the process of appointing new trustees to serve out those terms.

Reinbold’s attendance was in question because West Bonner leader Branden Durst posted on social media earlier Wednesday that Reinbold was unable to attend, again. Despite the warning, about 60 people packed into the high school cafeteria. Reinbold had missed last week’s meeting, and without him, the three-person board could not legally meet without a quorum.

The uncertainty about Reinbold sparked tension and anxiety, because his absence would have rendered the board unable to conduct district business, like hiring new employees, paying contractor invoices or filling the board vacancies.

Trustee Hall, who was elected interim chair, apologized to the audience for rushing through the truncated agenda but apparently there was no choice.

Prior to the start, Hall, Barton and Durst abruptly left the room to call Reinbold. Hall and Barton confirmed after the meeting that Reinbold put a condition on his attendance: the executive session to discuss and possibly rule on Durst’s intention to step down as superintendent had to be removed from the agenda.

Reinbold wanted the board to focus on the consent agenda, and “I’m appreciative” that the board was able to declare those vacancies, Hall said after the meeting. 

Applications for those interested in serving on the board are due by 5 p.m. on Oct. 13. They expect to conduct interviews at the Oct. 19 regular board meeting, and that applicant review process will take place in open meeting.

The social media post

At the conclusion of last week’s canceled meeting, patrons complained to Durst that he withheld the information about Reinbold’s absence and wasted their time. So he committed on Wednesday to sharing information earlier so those who drive in from a distance would be aware, he told EdNews. 

“In respect for everyone’s time I thought it appropriate to communicate this in advance of the meeting,” Durst said before the meeting Wednesday. “As of Monday morning he let me know he would not be able to attend. I have not received any subsequent communication from him that indicates anything different.”

The impact on families

Some parents say the recall election and the drumbeat of school board turmoil is affecting their children and their teachers. 

“It would be naive to say it doesn’t affect them. You can see it on the faces of teachers and parents,” said Paul Turco, who has two kids in West Bonner schools. “You try to shelter and protect them but there’s only so much you can do.

“I feel like the whole summer was stolen.”

Several parents expressed their frustration at the start of a fifth grade football game. 

“It’s very upsetting. I haven’t slept much since it started,” said Gayla Turner, a grandmother of six West Bonner students as she stood under a canopy while rain drenched the field and players. 

Durst is hopeful education is not being disrupted.

“I hope they are working hard to the best of their ability, even with some uncertainty,” he said from his office in downtown Priest River.  “I hope the students are being left out of the adults’ problems.” 

PRIEST RIVER — What did you do last summer? A group of mothers and grandmothers in tiny Priest River proudly responds, “We saved a school district.”

It was a relentless and months-long effort that included hundreds of home visits and thousands of phone calls.

But a core group of 10 — with a hundred more participating — led an implausible community campaign to recall two members of the West Bonner County School District’s board of trustees.

And they did so with resounding voter turnout and lopsided results.

“The group kept growing and became much more eclectic, because those of us who have grown up here are raised with a standard that when you shake a hand, it’s a legal binding document. You look people in the eye when you talk to them and you honor and respect each other,” said Priest River resident Dana Douglas. 

The fallout from the election has left the board in turmoil with two openings, an absent trustee obstructing board business and a quasi-superintendent said he is resigning, though left the “amicable and fair exit” details up to the dysfunctional board.

Last week’s regular meeting was canceled for lack of quorum and this week’s special meeting is at risk because all three remaining trustees must show up.

But the community was heard at the ballot box and created a district shakeup that’s getting statewide attention.

How they got there

West Bonner was at the center of a months-long leadership struggle to control the school board’s direction. In December of last year, a recall group agreed that three trustees were making decisions not in the best interest of their community or students. They settled on recalling the board chair and vice chair.

The recall election fight was just “really ugly,” but successful, said one of the core organizers — Annie McMahon, Candace Turner, Dana Douglas, Marcie Rentfro, Meagan Mize, Kylie Hoepfer, Hailey Scott, Sandy Brower, Brooke Ramsey and Debra Buttrey.

A summer sacrificed

Dozens of volunteers walked countless miles knocking on doors while other mothers babysat newborns and small children. Some even went out late at night — they called it reconnaissance — to place signs so opponents wouldn’t have the chance to remove them before morning drivers headed out to work.

Not just parents, but the whole community participated, from the elderly to children holding up recall signs.

“Education became a villain and teachers were villainized,” Rentfro explained.

Because their small-town values were under attack, the group felt it was fighting for more than an election, they said. Retired teachers, business owners, kids and grandparents alike all pitched in to challenge what the group describes as a spreading “extremist” movement. 

“It was an extremist point of view, organized for the destruction and not the betterment of the community. It was created around self-promotion. It was missing out on what it means to help and support your neighbor,” said Brower.

They saved a school district

But successfully using a recall election is “rare,” according to education leaders and election officials. They embraced the challenge anyway, giving up the summer nights to attend board meetings, staying in communication with one another and developing a tough skin.

“Donkey. Leftist. Woke. Liberals. Marxists. Communists. Mob leaders.” They endured plenty of insulting names, the group said.

In June, they responded in earnest. Recall banners were stretched across fences, supporters started wearing their “WBCSD Strong” t-shirts to school board meetings, and recall signs started popping up in yards and in windows.

Rentfro said they were so busy on the weekends and weekdays, “like ants working on an ant hill.” They knocked on over 300 doors; placed 500 yard signs; set up 20 sandwich board signs; mailed 3,600 flyers, posters and letters; placed 18 banners; and called about 2,000 voters.

“If you mess with our children, our claws come out,” someone in the group chimed in.

They community was inspired by the failure of a supplemental levy, an abrupt return to the language arts curriculum and the hire of Branden Durst as superintendent.

Not fully qualified to serve as superintendent, Durst was hired in June on a 3-2 vote, supported by Keith Rutledge and Susan Brown — the two recalled trustees — and Troy Reinbold. 

What’s next

Last week, Reinbold failed to show up for the board’s first meeting since Rutledge and Brown were officially removed. Without Reinbold, the board does not have a quorum and cannot legally meet. The board is scheduled to meet Wednesday for a special meeting.

“We’ve been dealing with these people for so long and how tremendously organized they are,” one of the recall volunteers said.

If Reinbold attends, the board has a full agenda planned. If he doesn’t show up, the board will not be able to address Durst’s plan to step down as superintendent or make any decisions for the district. There’s also an election in November, where all three trustees are up for re-election.

In the announcement (made on X, formerly known as Twitter), Durst said he will seek an “amicable and fair exit” and that the move is necessary to “promote healing and unity within the community.” 

“It may not be entirely fair, but life rarely is,” his letter said. 

The news comes after months of tumult in the North Idaho district, including raucous board meetings, the recall of two trustees and the state’s decision to block Durst’s path to an emergency certification to be a superintendent.

Durst did not set a departure date and said he’ll leave that decision to the board.

In early June, Durst — a former Democrat legislator and Republican candidate for state superintendent — was selected as West Bonner’s new leader, despite lacking the state-required qualifications. 

The hire sparked outrage throughout the community and drew statewide attention to the remote district. 

Patrons vocalized their concerns at school board meetings, and ultimately organized a recall election that ousted two district trustees, leaving the board at a point of uncertainty until new trustees can be appointed.

The State Board of Education blocked Durst’s attempt to seek an emergency certification for his superintendency and put the district on notice to comply with state law. 

Durst called out these challenges in his resignation notice.

“I faced a situation marked by its relentless obstacles thrown my way by those who wished to see me fail, including the Idaho State Board of Education and State Superintendent of Public Instruction,” Durst wrote. “However, despite these challenges, I persevered and with the help of great staff achieved remarkable milestones that I hope will have a positive impact on the district long into the future.”

Durst continued, saying he’s committed to facilitating a smooth transition following his resignation, and until then, will “continue to work diligently to uphold the district’s mission and support students’ success.”

Durst’s final day with West Bonner will either be decided by the three remaining trustees, who meet Wednesday for a special board meeting, or the newly elected board who takes office in January, following the November elections.

This rewrite downplays the chances that the U of I could wind up on the hook for tens of millions of dollars in student loan writeoffs.

“It is expected that the University of Phoenix would be able to meet its own obligations,” U of I officials wrote.

The question of student loan writeoffs — or discharges — has taken on new urgency in recent weeks.

In August, the U.S. Department Education said it was writing off $72 million in Ashford University student loans, a move that could affect the school’s nonprofit partner, the University of Arizona. And on Wednesday, the feds announced a writeoff of $37 million in Phoenix loans, involving 1,200 former students.

The U of I’s updated FAQ page does not directly address the $37 million Phoenix writeoffs. But the U of I says the Ashford situation is a different story — partly because Ashford lost in a civil trial, and Phoenix has not.

“If University of Phoenix were to face a (borrower defense to repayment) recoupment demand based on a large-scale loan forgiveness action similar to Ashford’s, the University of Phoenix is prepared to vigorously challenge such action on appropriate grounds,” U of I officials wrote.

Phoenix and U of I officials have said the U of I is exposed to some risk from loan writeoffs, if the $685 million purchase of the for-profit online behemoth goes through.

Phoenix has pegged the possible exposure at $1.5 million per year. The U of I has said the risk could reach $7 million or more. But these estimates predate the feds’ recent Ashford and Phoenix loan writeoff announcements.

If the Phoenix sale goes through, possibly in early 2024, a U of I affiliated nonprofit, Four Three Education, would assume Phoenix’s assets and liabilities.

So when one of three trustees skipped Wednesday’s regular board meeting it was canceled, triggering concern in the community as the Nov. 7 election date nears.

“We’re in unusual circumstances here,” said Quinn Perry, the ISBA’s deputy director. “I have never seen a five-member school board only act with two trustees, and we believe that they need all three to have a quorum.”

The two trustees who attended Wednesday canceled the regular meeting because they lacked a quorum. Margaret Hall and Carlyn Barton attended while Troy Reinbold did not. The five-person board is down to three following last month’s recall election of Keith Rutledge and Susan Brown.

“There is no question whatsoever,” said West Bonner leader Branden Durst, about the need for three trustees.

Idaho Code 33-510 governs quorums and reads “a quorum for the transaction of business of the board of trustees shall consist of a majority of the members of the board.”

Acting board chair Hall said she is planning to schedule a meeting next week. But what if Reinbold does not attend, again?

“I think we need to step back and realize they are volunteer members. These things happen,” Durst said. “I don’t have any reason to believe Reinbold was acting nefariously.”

Idaho Education News has been unable to reach Reinbold. Durst speculated that he may be completing construction projects before winter weather sets in.

“I don’t know what his work schedule looks like but his prior history is attending almost all the meetings, so I assume that will be the case,” Durst said.

Retired teacher and recall organizer Candy Turner of Priest River disagrees. “This is one of his strategies — not to be involved. I think the Idaho Freedom Foundation group we have up here has told him not to do it. Stay away and wait for the re-election.”

Turner, whose five children attended West Bonner schools, is concerned his repeated absences at future meetings will put the district in “a real bind.”

Quinn said the implications of a non-performing board include the inability to hire new employees, pay bills, declare vacancies and deal with other necessary business to maintain operations of a public school. 

But according to Durst, he has the authority to fulfill some of those essential responsibilities.

The board’s inability to hold a regular meeting Wednesday “makes things more complicated for us at the district office,” Durst said. But a board-appointed leader can act on behalf of the board in emergency situations or in some cases if the district will incur a fiscal loss, Durst said. “In the absence of board action, as the superintendent, I  can make decisions.” 

Idaho Code 33-513 says a superintendent “shall be the executive officer of the board of trustees with such powers and duties as the board may prescribe (and) shall also act as the authorized representative of the district whenever such is required.”

“I have authority as chief executive officer bestowed by board policy and the contract I signed,” he said.

His examples include an emergency hire, paying an invoice, entering into a contract or placing an employee on paid administrative leave.

The school board vacancies 

According to Idaho law, the board has to first declare the vacancies during a meeting. Then the trustees have 90 days to appoint someone from the zone where the vacancy occurred. If they fail to find a suitable replacement, they are allowed to appoint someone from anywhere in the district. If they are still unsuccessful after 120 days, the county commission makes the appointment.

Hall, Barton and Reinbold all face re-election on Nov. 7 and each has an opponent. If Reinbold does not return, the board cannot begin the process of appointing Rutledge’s and Brown’s replacements by declaring a vacancy. That decision would be left to the newly elected trustees who take office in January.

If Reinbold remains absent for the remainder of the year, it appears that his seat is not in jeopardy until after the regular board meeting in December. He is allowed to miss three consecutive regular meetings without violating statute. Reinbold could remain absent, be removed from the board in December, and then rejoin the board in January, if re-elected.

Idaho Code 33-504 reads, “A vacancy shall be declared by the board of trustees when any nominee has been elected but has failed to … attend four consecutive regular meetings of the board.”

Special board meetings — like the one West Bonner is planning next week — are not considered the same as the 12 regular board meetings held each month. Missing special meetings is not the same as missing regular meetings. To read more about the code that governs board meetings, see this link.

State Board of Education spokesperson Mike Keckler said he could not comment today without first consulting with legal counsel, who was unavailable today.

One of three remaining board members, trustee Troy Reinbold, did not show up. No one from the district provided a reason for his absence. Trustees Magaret Hall and Carlyn Barton attended.

Reinbold’s continued absences at future meetings could create a period of uncertainty for the board and school district.

There has been concern in the community that Reinbold would boycott Wednesday’s meeting and possibly others in the future after board leaders Keith Rutledge and Susan Brown were recalled by voters last month. Reinbold did not respond to Idaho Education News’ request for comment Wednesday and there is no indication that he will miss additional meetings.

Hall, who is currently serving as acting board chair, did not comment on Reinbold’s absence.

The board apologizes for wasting your time. Tonight’s meeting is postponed and re-scheduled for Sept. 27, Hall told the audience.

Someone asked, “What happens if he never shows up?” Trustees did not answer.

West Bonner’s leader Branden Durst explained to one patron, “The board is still five people. You have to have three people to have a quorum.”

If three are required for the board to meet, Reinbold’s continued absence could derail the appointment of Rutledge’s and Brown’s replacements.

Idaho Code 33-510 governs quorums and says “a quorum for the transaction of business of the board of trustees shall consist of a majority of the members of the board.” 

According to Idaho law, the board has to first declare the vacancies during a meeting. Then the trustees have 90 days to appoint someone from the zone where the vacancy occurred. If they fail to find a suitable replacement, they are allowed to appoint someone from anywhere in the district. If they are still unsuccessful after 120 days, the county commission makes the appointment.

Hall, Barton and Reinbold all face reelection on Nov. 7 — in 48 days — and each has an opponent. The Nov. 7 canvass — the day election results are officially accepted — happens on Nov. 17, which is 58 days from today. If Reinbold does not return during the 58 days, those appointments could be made by the newly-elected board, after the election process.

Wednesday’s scheduled two-hour meeting included action items to pay invoices, hire new employees and discuss the new trustee appointment process. And some in the community were expressing relief and preparing for a return to normalcy. But Wednesday’s event potentially thrusts the district back into a renewed period of chaos. The board has experienced months of tumult — including loud, vocal opposition from parents, disagreements with the State Board of Education, a recall election of two trustees and a restraining order that shut down a meeting before it got underway.

The filing deadline to run for a school board seat was Sept. 8. The withdrawal deadline is Sept. 22. Idaho Education News is collecting the names of candidates for each school board election. The following represents some of what was available today.  

West Bonner

All three West Bonner incumbents face opponents in their bid to retain their seats. In zone one, Alan Galloway of Priest River is running against incumbent Margaret Hall. In zone three, Elizabeth Glazier of Priest River will face incumbent Troy Reinbold. In zone five, Kathy Nash of Blanchard faces incumbent Carlyn Barton.

West Bonner trustees have been in the spotlight recently for the August recall election of two board leaders. In the next four months, Hall, Reinbold and Barton are tasked with appointing two new trustees who will serve out those terms. Trustees will meet as a board Wednesday for the first time since the election. 

The two open seats will not be part of the November election, because they have to be appointed, confirmed Bonner County Clerk Mike Rosedale.

The voting precincts for zone one are Blue Lake, East Priest River, Lamb Creek, Oldtown and Priest Lake; for zone three, they are Clagstone and Edgemere; in zone five, they are Oldtown and Spirit Valley.

In the previous election four years ago, there were 322 votes cast in zone one and 230 votes in zone three. Barton ran unopposed. In those three districts, there are 5,310 registered voters. Go to this link to register.

Coeur d’Alene

Coeur d’Alene’s school board has two seats up for election. In both races, there are multiple candidates scheduled to run. 

In zone two, current trustee Casey Morrisroe is not seeking reelection. Voters will chose from candidates James “Jimmy” McAndrew, Yasmin Harris, Paul Mahlow and Mike Stavish; in zone three, incumbent trustee Heather Tenbrink will face Matt Blatt and Jeremy DeChaine.

Nampa

Zone 1 — Jay Dufffy, Stephanie Bins

Zone 2 — Adam Schasel, David Jennings

Caldwell

Zone 2 — Ray Horrell, Manuel Godina

Zone 3 — Nicole Trakel, Travis Manning

Zone 4 — Niccole Hyland, Andrew Butler

Vallivue

Zone 3 — Toni Brineegar

Zone 4 — Brian Bishop, Paul Tierney

Zone 5 —  Amy Johnson

Kuna

Zone 1 — Joy Thomas, Hillary Lowe

Zone 2 — Kristi Hardy, James Grant

Zone 5 — Russell Johnson, Michael Thornton

Melba

Zone 2 – Ryan Segar

Zone 3 — Jolene Gould

Zone 4 — Travis Christiansen

Marsing

Zone 2 — Chad Showalter

Zone 4 — Sean Rowley

Middleton

Zone 3 — Jakob Dempsey

Zone 5 — Derek Moore

West Ada

Zone 2 — Susan Schuetz, Lucas Baclayon

Zone 4 — David Binetti, Miguel Deluna, Mariel Gates

Zone 5 — Tom Moore, Rene Ozuna, Jeremy Cutler

Lakeland

Zone 1 — Randi Bain, Kyle Olmstead

Zone 2 — Ramona Grissom, Cherish Hansen

Zone 3 — Sheila Holfeltz, Michelle Thompson

Wilder

Zone 3 — Jaime Ponce

Zone 4 — Bree Walker

Plummer-Worley
Zone 2 — Tammy Gauthier, Laura Laumatia

Zone 4 — Nicky James. Jan Mitchell

Zone 5 — Brian Clark, Chris Smith

Zone 6 — Payton Hodgson, Marlow Thompson

Kellogg

Zone 3 — Sam Gibbons, Sarah Frohlich

Zone 4 — Alexa Griffin, David Hernandez

Zone 5 — Felicia Cassidy, Melanie Carter, John Schroeder

Emmett (no designated zones voters pick three)

No Zones — Nita Barnard, Mona Barnes, Adam Buck, Tim Brady, Janet Drake, Mike Garner, Derrick Oxnam, Patty Puschmann, Qandryel Romrell, D’on M Waltermine

Genesee

Zone 1 — Jim Hermann

Zone 3 — Kelley A. Porter

Kendrick

Zone 1 — Rone Ireland, Steven McDowell

Zone 4 — Justin Cowly, Ryan Lawrence

Potlatch

Zone 2 — Jessica Scholfield

Zone 4 — Ryan Becker

Troy

Zone 2 — Kyle Osborn

Zone 4 — Pamela Hilliard

Zone 5 — Wendy Fredrickson

Whitepine

Zone 2 — Mandy Kirk

Zone 3 — Brittany Griffan

Zone 5 — Beverly Clark

Culdesac

Zone 4 — None

Zone 5 — None

Highland

Zone 1 — None

Zone 3 — Michelle Mendenhall

Zone 4 — None

Teton

Zone 1 — Natalie Kashi

Zone 2 — Jennie Beach, Michael Adams

Zone 5 — Jared Killpack, Martin Balben. William McMahon

Twin Falls

Zone 2 — Brad Breland, Heidi Tubbs

Zone 4 — Jonathan Lord

Zone 5 — Heidi Casdorph

American Falls

Zone 1 — Kamren Kompin

Zone 3 — Jessalee Smith

Rockland

Zone 1 — Marshall Ralphs

Zone 2 — Jordan O’Brien

Arbon Valley

Zone 1 — Ashlee Fitch

Zone 3 — Zachary Tarbet

EdNews Data Analyst Randy Schrader contributed to this report. 

The Communities of Excellence Federal Charter Schools Program grant is awarded in a five-year cycle. In 2018, Bluum, a nonprofit charter support organization, used its $22 million grant to kick off a rapid expansion of schools, funding 28 schools over five years. Charter schools now educate almost 10% of the state’s public school students.

If awarded the 2023 grant, Bluum will allocate it with three objectives in mind:

• Increase the number of quality Idaho charter school seats by no less than 5,900 students, especially for educationally disadvantaged and rural students.
• Support quality authorizing while supporting and spreading best authorizer practices statewide.
• Impact the broader education system by providing them with the lessons and processes from high-quality charter schools.

Bluum’s partners  — the state, the J.A. and Kathryn Albertson Family Foundation and current schools — expressed a desire to slow the growth of new charter schools because the market is slowing down and concentrate on schools that meet academic and demographic needs, said Terry Ryan, Bluum’s CEO. 

“It would be great if we have multiple applicants for every grant we issue and real competition for the grants,” Ryan said.

According to the grant application, the money will be used for 13 sub-grant awards; 10 for new startup schools serving more than 300 students in grades K-12 or career technical education schools serving 6-12; three additional schools will be either smaller rural schools or smaller expansions of existing schools that may add additional grades.

Funds will also be used to assist public universities and colleges become charter school authorizers. Despite the ability to do so, higher education institutions have not authorized a school.

“None have taken it up in Idaho, but we’d like to see a university take on this responsibility” Ryan said. “Some of the highest quality charter school authorizers in the nation are universities and these include SUNY in New York and Central Michigan University in Michigan.”

Charter schools are the incubators of innovation in Idaho and having a really innovative university partner could lead to some cool opportunities, Ryan said. 

Additional plans include developing and providing more resources for topics such as charter school facility financing and school governance.

“Both of these have been useful resources in Idaho and across the country,” Ryan said.

The grant request highlights the impact of charters.  “Idaho’s public charter schools have become a critical and integrated component of the state’s overall K-12 public education system. Our state’s overall K-12 enrollment averaged an annual growth rate of 2.05% from 2012-13 to 2021-22. Over the same decade, the overall Idaho charter school enrollment has seen an annual average growth rate of 5.5%. Twenty-five years after the first charter school opened its doors in 1998, there are now more than 70 charter schools serving about 30,000 Idaho students.”

Disclosure: Idaho Education News and Bluum are funded by grants from the J.A. and Kathryn Albertson Family Foundation.

PIERCE — Nicholas broke into a building in Priest River and stole expensive equipment; Joseline was skipping class at Jerome High School and running with the wrong crowd; Guillermo wants to overcome generational poverty and substance abuse in Boise.

Today, the trio stands solidly at attention in front of Idaho Youth Challenge Academy, their military green cadet uniforms neatly creased and squared away. Surrounded by acres of timber, the nearest town is Pierce, which has no stop lights, a dusty main street with a restaurant or two, a hardware store and saloons. Town hall closes at one o’clock. There are a couple of ancient gas pumps ready for retirement and plenty of parking anywhere in town.

Weippe and Orofino lie south down sharp mountain roads and past logging trucks laden with tons of wood. North up Highway 11 dead ends at Headquarters, population no one.

To provide an immediate change of environment, the school purposely selected a remote town, surrounded by vastness and free of distractions, away from friends and negative influences. Drugs, alcohol, ditching class and un-productivity are not tolerated. 

“We pretty much did everything we weren’t supposed to be doing,” recalled Nicholas Cramer, 17, about life back home before joining the youth academy.

Rather than celebrating his senior year of high school, Nicholas was busy skipping school and avoiding law enforcement, who knew him by name. Facing larceny charges, he volunteered to attend the academy.

“Some of these kids need something in their life that is meaningful and causes them to be proud of who they are, believe in who they are, and have confidence that they can be successful,” said Greg Billups, the school’s admissions coordinator.

Even for the motivated, it’s not an easy transition. About 15% of cadets walk away. But approximately 250 students — all high school dropouts — finish each year and leave better prepared to finish their education or tackle adulthood.

“It’s always a dark day when we have to send someone home,” Billups said.

The intervention program targets dropouts between the ages of 15-1/2 to 18 from every corner of the state, Ada County providing the most students. The 20-week residential phase relies on structure, utilizing military-like discipline and training. The focus in the classroom is education and life skills, plus a 12-month post-residential phase to help students after they graduate.

“We’re an opportunity and not a punishment,” Billups said.

The youth academy is not a detention center because there is no fence and it’s not a boot camp because they are not interested in breaking anyone down.

But the campus is secure, with 24-hour supervision, no cell phones, television or inappropriate internet.

Two months into the program, Nicholas’ attitude changed: he attends classes eight hours a day, eats healthy and exercises — at least an hour each day, including weekends.

“I’ve learned I am a lot more disciplined, smarter than I thought I was, and now I can see more of my full potential,” he said.

Because of the negative influences guiding her life, Joseline Carbajal, 17, was not going to graduate. But structure and discipline changed her.

“I am a lot more grateful, a lot more disciplined and open-minded about everything,” Joseline  said. “Family day on Saturday made me more motivated because they could see how far I’ve come.”

Also struggling with school, Guillermo upended his life in Boise to find more direction. “I felt like I was wasting my potential, falling into some bad habits, and was lost and unprepared.”

Guillermo is determined to be a good role model for his younger nieces and nephews, and break a cycle of poverty, addiction and legal troubles.

“They’re proud of me,” Guillermo said about his parents’ reaction.

Joseline and Nicholas plan to finish high school. Guillermo plans to finish school, too, but he made a profound choice — to serve his country.

“My parents are surprised by my decision to join the Army and they say ‘keep finding direction,’” Guillermo said.

The military-style youth academy is officially an alternative public high school within the Orofino Joint 171 School District, at no cost to cadets. In nine years, nearly 2,000 Idaho students have graduated. They recovered almost 28,000 credits, issued 248 diplomas and helped 187 earn GEDs.

GETTING STARTED: New cadets are referred by high school counselors, word of mouth, legacy kids (they knew someone who attended), school counselors, principals, resource officers and probation officers.

The next class starts in January but not everyone will get in. There is an application and interview process. Each class is open to 100 males and 45 females. 

Four things disqualify applicants: a felony, too many risk factors (like a GPA of 1.5 or below or high truancy), unmotivated to attend and an IEP disability the school is unable to accommodate.

“If they’re not willing to buy into the system, then they usually fail,” Billups said.

Turning kids away who aren’t qualified is the hardest part. “It’s a dark day for me anytime somebody is looking for some hope and answers, and we can’t provide it because they’re ineligible.”

The campus, opened in 2014, utilizes an unused K-8 school and additional modular buildings for barracks housing. There’s a gym, dining facility, laundry and library — the only entertainment. Weekends involve service to the community, team building exercises, physical training, leadership classes, homework time and personal time.

It costs taxpayers approximately $18,000 to $19,000 to house and educate each cadet. The school operates with 75% federal and 25% state funding. There are 70 staff members who are State of Idaho Military Division employees, except for eight licensed teachers and one principal.

FIVE MONTHS LATER: “I want them to be confident they can be successful in any environment,” Billups said. “We hope they’re proud that they did something unique and they did something difficult and they did it well.”

One of the academy’s core outcomes is academic excellence. Cadets who’ve previously failed a class recover that credit. The program offers 15 credits in 5-1/2 months, which is equivalent to a whole year of school.

Other components include basic banking skills, maintaining good credit, managing a personal budget, identifying emotional coping strategies, volunteering at the Dworshak Fish Hatchery, completing Forest Service trail maintenance and stacking wood for the elderly. They’re encouraged to register to vote and participate in an election process, and have a basic understanding of the Constitution.

What do cadets do after they graduate? The following examples represent the last class to graduate in January.

• 65% returned to high school.
• 17% graduated with a diploma.
• 13% earned their GED.
• 5% entered a branch of the military.

LIFE AFTER THE ACADEMY: “The best days for me are when I hear kids say how proud they are of themselves and what they’ve accomplished,” Billups said.

School administrators remain in contact with a number of previous graduates. These stories briefly discuss the progress of three former cadets who got back on the right track.

Tanner Morales joined the Idaho National Guard and became an aerospace propulsion technician. He entered in June of 2015 and is still serving. He volunteers for the school’s two-week acclimation phase twice a year to assist new cadets. He’s been a mentor for a few specific cadets and he recently worked as a cadre leader at the academy. He is now employed in the Boise area and wants to be part of the new mentoring program.

Mark Turner lives in Coeur d’Alene and works as a body repair technician and a technician trainer at a collision center. He operates an online automotive store and is in talks to open a second business full-time. He is currently mentoring a cadet from the academy, helping him get on his feet. Turner is responsible for the creation of our Cadet Peer Review Board. He had the idea when he was attending the academy. It has helped many cadets continue their journey and reach graduation. 

John Kreycik joined the US Army in 2016 and became a paratrooper. They aren’t sure where he currently lives.

The youth academy is part of the larger “National Guard Youth ChalleNGe.” Since the program’s inception in 1993, it has graduated nearly 200,000 students in 31 states. It’s administered by the Department of Defense and implemented by the National Guard Bureau. If you have a student who is struggling, Billups can be reached at 208-827-6746 or gbillups@idyouthchallenge.com.

North Idaho College officials outlined a series of recent problems in a new report to regional accreditors. But officials say collaboration between trustees, college officials and community leaders is “improving” — with a goal of returning the beleaguered 90-year-old community college to good standing.

“The consensus of the entire North Idaho College community is that accreditation is not a symbolic badge of honor,” college officials said in a Friday “special report” to accreditors. “Rather, it is about continuous improvement; it is a fundamental indicator of an institution’s commitment to maintaining its educational standards, financial responsibility and integrity.”

The 19-page report represents perhaps the college’s most detailed update on the accreditation struggle. In early July, the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities decided to continue NIC’s accreditation, for up to a year. But the “neutral decision” still requires the college to make its case to remain accredited.

A loss of accreditation could have profound impacts on NIC and its 4,000 students. Without accreditation, NIC students would be ineligible for financial aid, such as the state’s Opportunity Scholarship, and their NIC credits would not transfer to another college.

The report touted several success stories.

NIC ended its budget year with a surplus, which will award 8% employee raises. Even before these raises kick in, employee turnover stabilized last school year. The NIC Foundation provided the college nearly $1.3 million for scholarships this school year, a funding record.

But several chronic problems resurfaced — and in areas that have concerned accreditors for months, or years:

• NIC expects yet another enrollment decrease this fall — although dual-credit enrollment is improving at several area high schools. “Even though fall enrollment is projected to trend down, the resilience of faculty and staff to address this trend remains strong.”
• Two top administrators resigned in August, continuing what accreditors have called a staff “exodus.” Officials sought to downplay the impact. “NIC has not discontinued any program due to the lack of human resources.”
• Trustees bucked college administration and the faculty assembly, passing over higher-rated job applicants to hire Colton Boyles, a Sandpoint attorney with hardline conservative ties, as the college’s new legal counsel. Accreditors have raised concerns about the working relationship between trustees and college administrators.

The opinion came a day after the State Board said it could not consider Branden Durst’s application for such a certificate, effectively stripping him of any chance to become the official superintendent at West Bonner County School District. 

“We understand that, historically, the board may have approved provisional certificates for a superintendent candidate in a manner that effectively waived the endorsement requirements for that candidate,” the attorney general’s analysis reads. “However, this practice does not appear to be consistent with the statue or the board’s regulations … This means that the State Board could face legal liability for issuing provisional certificates for administrators and superintendents.”

The analysis goes on to say the prior certificates could “create some risk” for the State Board. 

Since 2015, the State Board has issued two emergency certificates to principals and one to a superintendent — Teresa “Susie” Luckey, who served as West Bonner’s interim superintendent from March to June, when Durst was hired. 

Mike Keckler, spokesperson for the State Board, said all three emergency administrator certificates — including Luckey’s — are expired and not in use. 

In a statement Durst provided EdNews Thursday, he questioned the State Board’s motives for not considering his application, and said it was “odd” that the State Board did not rescind Luckey’s certification after learning it was in the wrong. 

“They will be held accountable for their discriminatory actions,” Durst wrote. 

Durst had previously delayed applying for his emergency certificate because he said two superintendents could not hold emergency certificates at the same time in the same district (Luckey’s expired in August). However, the State Board said that was not true, and chastised West Bonner trustees in an Aug. 16 letter for employing “a non-certified individual as superintendent,” which it said “violates Idaho law.”

Durst is missing at least one requirement to hold a superintendent endorsement: four years of full-time, certificated employment in a school. In Durst’s emergency application, attorney Chris Yorgason argued that the state could waive any missing requirements because Durst met “certain minimum emergency requirements,” including having passed a background check, having two years of college training (Durst has a master’s and an education specialist degree from Boise State University), and the district having declared an emergency.

The West Bonner School Board will meet Wednesday and plans to address the recent ruling on Durst’s certificate at that time, according to acting chair Margaret Hall.

EdNews Data Analyst Randy Schrader contributed to this report. 

The University of Idaho and a former law professor have reached a $750,000 settlement, resolving a race and gender discrimination lawsuit.

The settlement was finalized in U.S. District Court earlier this week.

Shaakirrah Sanders joined the U of I’s law school faculty in 2011, and in 2018, she was the first African-American descendant of slaves to become a full law school professor at the university.

But in June 2019, she sued the university, saying she was “subjected to insulting, humiliating and/or discriminatory conduct related to her gender or race.” She also said she was subject to workplace discrimination — such as changes in teaching assignments, a delay in her sabbatical, and a focus on negative student reviews, as opposed to positive reviews.

“The university acted with deliberate indifference toward its obligation to make employment decisions including promotions without regard to race and/or gender,” the lawsuit stated.

The U of I and former law school deans Mark Adams and Jerrold Long denied all wrongdoing. The case went to trial in October 2022, but a jury could not reach a verdict.

But this week, both parties agreed on a joint statement, filed with the federal court: “The parties have agreed the best path forward is a resolution that allows an end to this litigation.”

The settlement also calls for the U of I to develop a policy prohibiting the video or audio recording of faculty, staff or students without prior consent.

In a news release, Sanders said she pursued a lawsuit to create a record of her experiences at the U of I.

“During my tenure, I taught in a law school building that depicted the lynching of Native Americans while the college declined to investigate and failed to adequately address multiple reports of gender and racially derogatory behavior at the law school,” Sanders said. “With this settlement I have the space for peace, healing, and restoration.” 

The university issued its own statement Thursday: “For the University of Idaho, this settlement is a business decision and in the best interest of our students, the university and the state of Idaho. Litigation costs money and time as well as creates the potential for ongoing distraction to employees and students. We wish Professor Sanders the best in her future endeavors.”

Sanders left the U of I in July for a professor and associate’s dean position at Penn State Dickinson Law.

The $750,000 includes damages, attorney’s fees and $44,736 to cover disputed and denied wages.

While the settlement became final this week — with an order U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill signed Wednesday — the details have been in the works for some time. And it appears that the settlement already has the blessing of the State Board of Education, which serves as the U of I’s board of regents.

In an Aug. 4 court filing, attorneys for the defendants said the parties had reached “an agreement in principle” on a settlement, and they said the State Board would meet no later than Aug. 23 to consider the agreement.

After meeting in a closed-door executive session on Aug. 23, the board publicly agreed to a settlement involving an unidentified former U of I employee. No details were discussed in open session, but under State Board policy, the board must approve any settlements exceeding $200,000.

State Board spokesman Mike Keckler said he could not confirm that the Aug. 23 settlement involved Sanders.

More about the settlement from Laura Guido of the Idaho Press.

The State Board of Education ended Branden Durst’s quest to become the certified superintendent of the West Bonner School District, declining to consider his application for an emergency provisional administrator’s certificate. 

In a letter to a school district official, State Board Executive Director Matt Freeman said, “There is no pathway for Mr. Durst to obtain the legally required certification to serve as the West Bonner County School District superintendent” because he has not met all the five requirements to do so. 

Freeman said the State Board does not have the “legal authority to grant such certificates” to administrators — even though it has done so three times since 2015.

Durst responded Thursday in an email to Idaho Education News.

“The State Board of Education curiously decided it no longer had authority to grant emergency provisional certificates to any administrator applicant. This decision was not limited to me. However, the timing is particularly strange,” Durst wrote. 

State Board officials recently realized their limitations after conducting a “legal review” prompted by “the decision by West Bonner trustees to hire an uncertified individual to serve as superintendent this summer.”

But when West Bonner trustees hired Teresa “Susie” Luckey as interim superintendent in March, she also lacked the requirements to do so, including not completing the needed coursework or degree. Yet, the State Board approved her emergency certification — valid from September 2022 to August 2023 — at its June meeting. 

“When did the State Board of Education come upon this new knowledge and interpretation? Certainly, as the State Board acknowledged, they have granted them in the past. In fact, they granted one just a couple of months ago for an applicant in the West Bonner County School District. Further, it seems odd that the State Board would have not rescinded an emergency certification that it knew it didn’t have the authority to grant, if that is their new position,” Durst wrote.

Mike Keckler, spokesman for the State Board, said Durst’s situation was “unique” because he does not hold “any sort of endorsement or certification,” whereas Luckey held teacher and principal endorsements. 

The other two emergency administrative applications approved since 2015 were for principal positions, Keckler said. 

Going forward, the State Board will no longer consider any emergency applications for administrative positions, Keckler said. That comes after a new understanding of its legal abilities, as spelled out in Idaho administrative code (08.02.02.042). Board members will only consider emergency provisional certifications for teachers.

“This leads to a simple conclusion: this was a discriminatory act by a board run by those with a political axe to grind. They will be held accountable for their discriminatory actions,” Durst said. To read his full response, use this link.

Wednesday’s decision is the latest development after months of tumult — including raucous meetings, a recall of two trustees and a restraining order against the recalled trustees — following Durst’s selection as superintendent. The State Board’s decision means West Bonner does not have an official superintendent, and the State Department of Education will not provide funds for Durst’s salary — the district will have to cover it. While Durst can’t be the superintendent, he may be able to serve the district in another capacity or under another title.

West Bonner had delayed Durst’s application for weeks due to a disagreement over interpretation of state law. But trustees acquiesced last month after the State Board told them in an Aug. 16 letter to comply with state law and file the application.

Margaret Hall, acting chair of the school board, wrote in an email Thursday night that both letters from the State Board — the August compliance letter and Wednesday’s letter — “are taken seriously. Review of these two letters are to be included on the Board’s September monthly meeting agenda, which is scheduled for Sept. 20. Any other statement at this time would be premature and inappropriate.”

The meeting will be the first without recalled trustees Susan Brown and Keith Rutledge.

EdNews Data Analyst Randy Schrader and reporter Darren Svan contributed to this report. 

On Wednesday, Green sent off a lengthy — and swift — response to three U.S. senators who are urging the U of I to walk away from the proposed Phoenix purchase.

In their letter Monday, Sens. Richard Durbin, D-Ill., Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., and Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., asked Green to respond to a series of questions about the purchase, by Sept. 30.

The reply took only two days, and leaned heavily on a “frequently asked questions” page the U of I has maintained, and amended, since announcing the proposed purchase in May.

As such, Green’s five-page letter doesn’t touch on too much new ground. Green took pains to point out that an affiliated nonprofit, Four Three Education Inc., would acquire and operate Phoenix. He maintained that, even under the most conservative estimates, Phoenix’s cash flow should easily cover Four Three’s bond payments. And he said Phoenix’s move to a nonprofit status would free up new money “for focus on student success” at Phoenix and U of I.

Green also downplayed a key point in the senators’ letter.

The lawmakers contend that the U of I could be on the hook for millions of dollars’ worth of federal student loan writeoffs. A recent Inside Higher Ed article suggests the University of Arizona could face up to $72 million in liabilities from loan writeoffs involving its online partner, Ashford University.

Phoenix has pegged U of I’s loan exposure at $1.5 million a year, although Green has said the U of I’s modeling suggests a possible risk of $5 million to $7 million a year, or more.

But in his letter, Green pointed out that Four Three would receive $200 million in cash from Phoenix, and said Phoenix is “well-prepared” for any possible liabilities.

“Student loan debt is certainly something we pay attention to at U of I … and was considered part of our due diligence,” Green wrote. “As a result of our careful due diligence, U of I leadership has full faith in University of Phoenix’s processes.”

The board heard from about six parents Monday evening. Trustees did not take action but superintendent Shon Hocker said, “We know about this transportation thing. I really wish we had a lot of applicants to drive the bus. We really are short on drivers.”

On Wednesday, Jeff Voeller, director of operations, said they are down by eight drivers. “It’s been a problem.”

After the parent feedback, however, the district is going to consider additional modifications and possibly reinstate some of those routes, Voeller said. 

Parents said they weren’t told why the decision was made. 

Laura Ward, who has two children attending schools, was told that after over 30 years of bus service to the Rockford Bay Area, that would no longer be happening. Now she drives her children to a pickup location in a nearby community.

Ward calculated that the new route is costing her $12,780 in lost wages and an additional $3,600 in fuel. “Not including additional wear and tear on my vehicle or additional maintenance expenses, to send my two children to a public school,” she said.

Ward provided specific details on how it affects her finances.

• She is driving an additional 220 miles a week.
• She’s losing 8.5 hours of work a week.
• She is putting 7,920 miles on her vehicle.

“The district is doing a disservice to the children who live out here and on the property owners who pay taxes for these children to attend this district. And these routes need to be reinstated. I hope this will change because frankly I can’t afford it,” Ward said.

Voeller said route modifications happen every year as student demographics change.

In Mica Flats, the pickup location was changed, frustrating parents who have to drive farther. That decision was based on poor turnaround spots for the buses, he said.

At Rockford Bay, there are fewer students and state law allows districts to create non-transportation zones for scarcity of students. Not discussed Monday night is a monetary reimbursement for eligible families, he added.

Some parents suggested paying drivers more per hour and they also asked the district to personally visit their community to see the problem. Drivers are paid $20.50 an hour and typically work between six to eight hours per day on a split schedule.

“I love my children and I will not let anybody put them in danger,” said Lindsey Mills, who lives in rural Mica Flats and has two children attending schools.

“We’re still paying the same tax. I don’t understand why this was done and it’s hurtful,” she said.

“Not only are you walking my child in the dark in an unlit area, but you also have to consider that I’ve got bears and cougars. I’ve got wild animals that little kids by themselves are susceptible to,” Mills said. 

Another patron who spoke to the board, Gregory Mills, is concerned about the safety of his grandchildren, who are walking along a road that logging trucks frequent, there is no lighting, no safe walking zone and the area is known for fog.

COEUR D’ALENE — The Coeur d’Alene school district hosted professional training last week for nearly 1,000 educators aimed at improving teaching skills and academic performance.

Coeur d’Alene teachers, counselors, administrators and classified staff made up the largest number of attendees — about 700 — but there were others from across Idaho, eastern Washington, Oregon and as far away as Tennessee. More than 10 scholars, authors and successful school leaders with PLC at Work Institute brought their expertise and knowledge to Lake City High School.

During the three-day event, training focused on developing an effective professional learning community (PLC), a group of educators that meets regularly, shares expertise, and works collaboratively to improve classroom skills and academic outcomes.

Coeur d’Alene Superintendent Shon Hocker said, “The time is right for us because every year matters. We don’t want to wait any longer to learn, improve and grow. We are focused on student success and achievement. We have an opportunity in front of us to go from being a good district to a great district.”

Current research shows that teaching in insolation is not as effective as collaborative teaching. 

“The old days of teaching solo are gone,” Hocker said. “Public schools must teach to all kids and help them succeed. Our job is to figure out how to teach as collaborative teams to meet kids where they are, and help ensure all our students reach their future goals.”

The PLC training program cost Coeur d’Alene about $400,000. The district used federal Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund money to fund the large-scale training, which helps the district maximize another $1 million in levy funds already set aside for professional development.

A PLC serves as infrastructure where teachers can engage in constructive dialogue, reflect on and improve instruction, and share ways to increase effectiveness in the classroom, Hocker said.

The implementation of common formative assessments is the next step for Coeur d’Alene. “Many grade-level teams and content teachers created those ground rules and our first assessments will be provided to students this year. Having relevant and timely data on specific measurable objectives will be an extremely important catalyst for deeper work,” he said.

Hosting the event presented plenty of logistical challenges but “it will be worth the effort and sacrifice,” Hocker said.

“Although our students are performing well compared to state averages, our community expects all students to meet targets and that we focus our resources on meeting that goal across the district.”