SCHOOLS: Quinn should step down

The controversy surrounding the appointment of Wanda Quinn to the School Board continues. On May 19 the CDA School Board officially announced and declared a vacancy effective June 30 by member Edie Brooks. In a quick and political power play, Brooks changed the date she was leaving, and Quinn was seated on June 6 without any official vote changing the board's vacancy dates. One must ask, if another person was appointed, would they have been allowed to move so quickly into that seat?

Complaints have been brought against Brooks for violating the state's Open Meeting Laws on various occasions and one was pending at the time of her resignation. Not long ago, the board accepted a FREE series of board workshops only to be asked at the end to donate $3,000 to complete them. The money did not support the current workshop; however it was required to "pay it forward" to other school boards in other districts so they could have the same workshop led by Ms. Quinn.

The current and divisive problem could easily be resolved by Ms. Quinn stepping down now to avoid further disruption to the education process. Isn't it important that school officials follow established procedures that assure all citizens of fair and representative government? I hope so. A judge should resolve this matter sooner than later.

M.J. FINNEY

Coeur d'Alene